Brazilian Crypto Industry to Sue if Government Pursues Stablecoin Taxation

Julia Rosin, President of Abcripto, the Brazilian Association of Cryptoeconomics, stated that if the Ministry of Finance decides to tax stablecoins transactions by decree, the institution will take legal actions alleging unconstitutionality. Abcripto groups over 50 companies of the Brazilian crypto industry.

Abcripto Vows to Take Legal Actions Against Stablecoin Taxation in Brazil

The issue of stablecoin taxation in Brazil and the potential drawbacks this can bring to the crypto industry are in the spotlight again.

Julia Rosin, the recently elected President of Abcripto, the Brazilian Association of Cryptoeconomics, has recently taken a public stance against the establishment of a financial tax on stablecoins transactions.

Rosin stated that if the Brazilian government decides to apply this kind of tax via decree, the association would sue due to the unconstitutionality of this action. According to Abcripto, taxing cryptocurrencies would equate them to foreign currencies, opposing current regulations passed by the Brazilian Congress.

While stablecoins are cryptocurrencies pegged to the value of fiat equivalents, in practice, they are used as foreign currency, which some have qualified as a loophole to avoid taxes.

On this issue, Rosin declared:

“The IOF [Financial Exchange Tax] is linked to currency exchange. A stablecoin is not a currency.”

Rosin alleges that stablecoins pay taxes when issued, as this transaction implies an exchange operation and fiat currency. “In the ‘minting’ [issuance] of a stablecoin there is already IOF because it is based on a traditional currency,” she stressed.

The possible taxation of stablecoin flows was announced in November, when Dario Durigan, Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, stated that the ministry was focused on reaching this goal. “We are going to deliver the taxation and regulation of crypto assets, yes, this is deserved,” he declared at the time.

Nonetheless, this sparked opposition from pro- crypto lawmakers, who vowed to oppose any initiatives seeking to tax stablecoins flows.

Read more: Stablecoin Taxation Measures Spark Heated Debate in Brazil

FAQ

• What is the current debate surrounding stablecoin taxation in Brazil? There is growing concern over potential taxes on stablecoin transactions, which could negatively impact the Brazilian crypto industry.

• What is Julia Rosin’s stance on stablecoin taxation? Julia Rosin, President of Abcripto, opposes any financial tax on stablecoin transactions, arguing it could be unconstitutional and equate cryptocurrencies to foreign currencies.

• How does the Brazilian government plan to address stablecoin taxation? The Ministry of Finance has indicated a focus on regulating and taxing crypto assets, igniting opposition from lawmakers.

• What is the classification of stablecoins under Brazilian law? Although stablecoins are pegged to fiat currencies, Rosin argues they are not foreign currencies and should not be taxed like traditional currencies.