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Instant Payment System Created in Brazil Faces Investigation in the United States, But at the Same Time Gains Recognition in International Digital Innovation Award and Will Represent the Country at Global Congress in 2026.
Amid a commercial investigation opened by the United States under the administration of Donald Trump, Pix, the instant payment system of the Central Bank, won the Brazilian stage of the World Summit Award (WSA) 2025 this Friday, September 12.
It was the overall highlight of the award, in addition to securing first place in “Business and Commerce.”
With this result, the selected projects — including Pix — will represent Brazil at the WSA Global, which is expected to take place in Vienna in 2026.
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The award comes at a time when the Brazilian instant payment system is under the focus of a procedure supported by Section 301 of the Trade Act, initiated on July 15, 2025, by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).
The investigation includes “digital trade and electronic payment services” among the topics of potential unfair treatment of American companies.
The official notice itself records that the opening was “at the direction of President Trump,” and anticipates a public hearing for instruction.
In the award announcement, a representative from the Central Bank stated:
“Pix is the most inclusive payment method in Brazil, eliminating cash. Today we talk about 90% of adults connected to the system, with over 80% of legal entities. This degree of inclusion only increases our responsibility as a public manager of something so transformative for society.”
This is a quote made during the award ceremony for WSA Brazil.
International Digital Innovation Award
Created in 2003 under the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), the WSA is an international ecosystem that identifies and promotes digital innovations aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
The organization is coordinated by the International Center for New Media (ICNM), headquartered in Salzburg, Austria, and brings together national networks in over 180 countries.
Contrary to what is sometimes reported, the WSA cycle is annual, featuring a global congress that presents the international winners.
According to the organizers, the congress has already been held in various countries, and in this edition, national winners like Pix advance to the global stage with presentations and international evaluations.
Brazilian organizations and media report that the 2026 edition is planned for Vienna, where finalists will meet for a program of panels and demonstrations.
Pix in the Investigation of the United States
The opening of the procedure by the USTR lists a set of points to investigate, including electronic payment services, digital trade, intellectual property, tariffs, and other sectoral topics.
In practice, the payment chapter targets potential regulatory asymmetries that could affect the competition of American companies in the Brazilian market.
The debate involves giants like Visa and Mastercard, due to the relevance of transactions that traditionally pass through card networks.
The Brazilian government contested the framing and argues that Pix is a neutral public infrastructure meant to foster efficiency and inclusion.
Officials from the Central Bank have reiterated that the arrangement does not compete with the market, but rather establishes common “paths” upon which private institutions can offer their services.
In August, the authority reinforced that it does not compete in the market with participants, and that the advancement of Pix occurs alongside the expansion of other electronic means.
This position was reiterated following the inclusion of the instant system in the US commercial investigation.
Mass Adoption and Global Recognition
The scale of Pix is one of the factors weighing in international evaluations.
The use of the system has reached mass proportions since its launch in 2020, with studies indicating penetration levels above 80% of the adult population within a few years.
In 2023, for example, an analysis by the IMF already indicated that Pix was used by about 80% of adults.
Public data from the Central Bank shows a continuous growth in users, keys, and transaction volumes throughout 2024 and 2025.
In addition to its reach among individuals, the system has spread among businesses, with millions of registered legal entities and frequent use in collections and sales.
The WSA awards value precisely solutions that promote inclusion, efficiency, and social impact — areas in which the Brazilian arrangement is often cited as a reference case.
Reports on WSA Brazil this year highlighted Pix as the overall winner and leader in the category of “Business and Commerce”.
Evolution of the System and New Features
While the debate about possible competitive effects continues abroad, Pix is undergoing technical evolution in the country.
In 2025, the Central Bank programmed the launch of Pix Installments, a mode that allows payment to the recipient upfront and settlement by the payer in installments.
This feature brings the experience of credit closer to consumption and is likely to increase usage for higher-value purchases.
This could intensify competition in the retail payment flow — traditionally a stronghold for cards.
In parallel, the schedule includes regulatory and security enhancements, such as rules to reduce fraud in recurring charges and adjust the participation of institutions in the arrangement.
These fronts, combined with the already established infrastructure, help sustain the narrative that Pix operates as a public platform upon which the private sector innovates and competes for customers.
Prospects for Brazil in the Global Scenario
From an international perspective, Section 301 allows the American government to proceed with compensatory measures if it concludes unfair practices exist.
Brazil, in turn, has rebutted the accusations and sought to frame the issue in multilateral forums.
In recent documents and statements, it has argued that there is no discrimination against foreign companies in the payment means ecosystem.
The government also cites the role of Pix in financial inclusion and in reducing intermediation costs.
This regulatory battle is likely to continue alongside the stages of the WSA Global in 2026, where Pix will carry its experience as a digital public policy.
While the dispute continues in the field of international trade, the victory at WSA Brazil projects the Brazilian system into the global digital innovation circuit and strengthens the debate on which regulatory framework best combines competition, security, and inclusion.
Amid external pressures and international recognition, what should be the country’s priority in bringing Pix to the world stage in 2026?
Parece que no texto não consta que o Pix foi criado no governo de Bolsonaro. Por quê ?
Gente, o PIX foi criado na época do Bolsonaro, figura que o Trump tanto ama, por que é que “só agora” o PIX tá “gerando problemas” pros “gigantes” do crédito? visa e master, se está ruim, então fechem suas portas ou mudem o produto. É fácil não?
Época da presidenta Dilma , a criação. Qdo da implantação, no governo bolsonaro, este nem sabia do que se tratava…
O Pix foi criado por uma equipe técnica de funcionários do Banco Central do Brasil e não por um governo específico. A equipe técnica foi quem implementou os estudos em 2018 e lançaram em 2020. Não tem nada a ver com ex presidente Temer, Dilma ou Bolsonaro… Foi o banco central.