A Brazilian lawmaker has introduced a bill to regulate salary payments in cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Federal Deputy Luiz Philippe de Orleans e Bragan?a filed the proposal on 12 March, seeking to legalise voluntary crypto wage payments while ensuring at least 50% of salaries remain in the national currency, the Brazilian real.

The bill prohibits full salary payments in virtual assets, except for expatriate or foreign employees under Central Bank of Brazil regulations. Independent service providers may receive full compensation in cryptocurrency, provided specific contractual conditions are met. Employers must use an authorised exchange rate for crypto conversion, aligning with official financial regulations.

Orleans-Bragan?a, a descendant of Brazil's former royal family, argues that the bill would strengthen the financial technology sector and attract crypto investment. He also emphasised that the measure promotes contractual freedom between employers and employees without undermining fundamental labour protections. The proposal follows global examples from countries like Japan, Switzerland, and Portugal, where regulated crypto payments have encouraged adoption and flexibility in financial transactions.

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