The latest push by Latin American companies to capitalise on growing demand for digital assets in emerging markets, Braza, the Brazilian financial services group, has launched a US dollar-pegged stablecoin on the XRP Ledger.
The USDB token, unveiled this week, is backed entirely by US and Brazilian government bonds and will be subject to regular audits, according to the São Paulo-based company. The stablecoin follows Braza’s earlier launch of BBRL, a Brazilian real-denominated token, as the group builds out its digital asset portfolio.
This April, Braza processed $1.08 billion in transactions within just 24 hours. The 15-year-old company has positioned itself as a bridge between traditional foreign exchange (FX) services and the emerging digital asset ecosystem.
“With USDB, Brazilian individuals and companies gain new alternatives to hedge against volatility and speed up their operations,” said Marcelo Sacomori, chief executive of Braza Group. “We are committed to offering a stablecoin that not only meets but exceeds the highest standards of security and compliance.”
Braza’s decision to issue both stablecoins on the XRP Ledger reflects the blockchain’s focus on institutional use cases and cross-border payments. The platform offers lower transaction costs compared to other major blockchains, making it attractive for companies facilitating international remittances and trade finance.
Sacomori projected that USDB could capture approximately 30% of Brazil’s dollar-pegged stablecoin market by the end of 2025.
Stablecoins have gained particular traction in emerging markets where they offer a hedge against local currency volatility while providing access to dollar-denominated assets. The tokens, which maintain a fixed value relative to traditional currencies through backing assets, have become crucial infrastructure for international trade and remittances.
The regulatory environment in Brazil has been evolving rapidly to accommodate similar instruments, with authorities working to establish clearer frameworks for digital asset operations while maintaining financial stability.
Brazil has been preparing for an influx of global cryptocurrency exchanges and regulatory clarity in the digital asset sector. Brazil’s regulatory framework for digital assets has advanced considerably since the enactment of its first cryptoassets law in December 2022: the Brazilian Virtual Assets Law, which became effective in June 2023, granted the Brazilian Central Bank authority to regulate virtual asset service providers (VASPs), requiring them to comply with anti-money laundering controls and know-your-client procedures.
More recently, the central bank published three public consultations in November 2024, establishing minimum capital requirements ranging from R$1 million to R$3 million depending on the type of services offered, and setting transaction limits of $100,000 for international transfers through virtual assets.
Regulatory clarity has encouraged more traditional financial institutions like Braza to explore blockchain-based services, aligning Brazil with international standards whilst protecting investors and fostering market integrity, and creating a supportive environment for companies seeking to bridge traditional finance and digital asset ecosystems.
Sacomori expressed optimism about 2025, describing it as a year of “regulatory advances in the cryptoasset sector” that should make markets safer, particularly regarding asset custody for financial institutions.
