How long does it take to send money from the US to Brazil?

ACH deposits from your US bank take 1-3 business days. Once your Peanut account is funded, sending to a recipient in Brazil is instant. They can spend via Pix immediately or withdraw to their Brazilian bank (Pix withdrawal confirms in seconds).For faster deposits, send USDC from an exchange via Arbitrum or Base — funds arrive in under 2 minutes.

What's the exchange rate for US to Brazil?

Peanut converts USDC to BRL at the real-time market rate. The rate you see is the rate you get, with no additional fees from Peanut. The rate locks at the moment of payment — no slippage after confirming.

How do I deposit from the US?

The easiest method is ACH: open the Peanut app, tap "Deposit," select ACH, and copy the bank details and reference number. Go to your banking app and create a transfer using those details. Include the reference number so Peanut can match the deposit to your account.ACH is free and takes 1-3 business days. For faster deposits, send USDC from an exchange like Coinbase via Arbitrum or Base.

Does the recipient in Brazil need a bank account?

No. Your recipient can spend instantly via Pix at any merchant in Brazil — no CPF, no local bank account needed. They verify with a passport and start using Pix immediately.If they want to withdraw to their own Brazilian bank account later, they can do so via Pix (instant) or bank transfer.

Is Peanut cheaper than Wise for US to Brazil?

Peanut's effective cost is lower because IOF does not apply. For a $1,000 transfer, Peanut costs ~$8 (0.8% spread) while Wise costs ~$10-15 (1-1.5% fee). The real advantage appears on outbound transfers from Brazil: Peanut is not subject to the 3.5% IOF, saving ~$135 on a $5,000 transfer.

How does IOF not apply to Peanut?

The Tax on Financial Operations (IOF) applies to traditional bank transfers and credit card foreign transactions, but digital dollar transactions are not covered by IOF legislation. Peanut converts USDC to BRL directly via its rate provider, so IOF does not apply.

Can I send money to myself in Brazil?

Yes. If you're traveling or living in Brazil, you can send money from your US account to your Peanut account and spend via Pix instantly. No CPF or local bank account needed.

Send Money from the US to Brazil

Fast, no IOF tax. Deposit via ACH, recipient uses Pix instantly without a CPF. Save up to 3.5% on outbound transfers.

Get Early Access

Sending money from the US to Brazil with Peanut is not subject to the Tax on Financial Operations (IOF) — saving you up to 3.5% on outbound transfers compared to traditional bank transfers or credit cards. Deposit via ACH from your US bank account, and your recipient can use Pix to spend instantly anywhere in Brazil — no CPF or local bank account required.

Why Peanut for US to Brazil Transfers

IOF Tax Savings

Moving money into or out of Brazil normally triggers the Tax on Financial Operations (IOF) — 0.38% on inbound transfers and up to 3.5% on most outbound transfers. Traditional bank transfers, credit card foreign transactions, and remittance services all pay IOF.

Peanut's USDC-based flow is not covered by IOF legislation. When you send digital dollars to Brazil, they convert directly to BRL without triggering IOF. For outbound transfers (sending money from Brazil back to the US), this saves up to 3.5% — far more than any exchange rate difference.

Easy ACH Deposits from the US

Deposit from your US bank account via ACH. The transfer takes 1-3 business days, and deposits are completely free — no wire fees, no additional charges, just standard ACH timing. Once your Peanut account is funded, you can send to Brazil instantly.

Info

For faster deposits, you can also send USDC directly from an exchange like Coinbase via Arbitrum or Base — funds arrive in under 2 minutes.

Instant Pix Access Without a CPF

Your recipient can use Pix immediately — no CPF or Brazilian bank account needed. They scan merchant QR codes at restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, hotels, or anywhere Pix is accepted (which is virtually everywhere in Brazil). Payments confirm in seconds, 24/7/365.

Opening a Pix-enabled account at most Brazilian banks requires a CPF and proof of local residency. Peanut removes that barrier — your recipient verifies with a passport and starts using Pix instantly.

No Fees

Peanut charges no fees on deposits, payments, or withdrawals. Your recipient pays nothing to receive or spend. The rate you see is the rate you get — it's already factored into the displayed rate. No surprises.

Skip the Waitlist

How to Send Money from the US to Brazil

1
Sign up for Peanut and verify your account
Create a Peanut account with your email or phone number. When you're ready to use bank deposits or Pix payments, verify your identity with a photo ID and selfie. Verification is powered by Persona (SOC 2 Type 2, GDPR-compliant) and takes under 2 minutes for most users.
2
Deposit from your US bank account via ACH
Open the app and tap "Deposit," then select ACH. You'll receive bank account details and a unique reference number. Go to your banking app, create a new transfer using those details, and include the reference number so Peanut can match the deposit to your account. ACH deposits are free and take 1-3 business days. For faster funding, you can send USDC from an exchange like Coinbase via Arbitrum or Base (funds arrive in under 2 minutes).
3
Send to your recipient
If your recipient has Peanut, send directly to their account — transfers are instant. If they don't have Peanut, create a Peanut Link and share it via WhatsApp, email, or text. They tap the link, claim the funds, and can immediately withdraw to Pix or spend at any merchant in Brazil.
4
Recipient uses Pix to spend in Brazil
Your recipient scans Pix QR codes at merchants — restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations, ride-hailing, hotels, street vendors. The payment confirms in seconds, and the merchant receives BRL instantly. No CPF, no local bank account, no waiting.

Where the Money Goes in Brazil

Pix

Pix is Brazil's default payment method, used by over 150 million people. Your recipient scans a merchant's Pix QR code with the Peanut app, reviews the amount in BRL, and confirms. Payment arrives instantly, 24/7/365 — works on weekends and holidays.

Pix works virtually everywhere in Brazil: restaurants and cafes, supermarkets, gas stations, online stores, ride-hailing apps (Uber, 99), hotels, and street vendors. Merchants receive BRL immediately regardless of how the payer funded their account.

Normally, accessing Pix requires a CPF (Brazilian tax ID) and a Brazilian bank account — neither of which foreigners can easily obtain. Peanut removes that barrier. Your recipient verifies with a passport and uses Pix from day one.

See the full Pix guide for details.

Bank Withdrawal

If your recipient prefers to move the funds to their own Brazilian bank account, they can withdraw via Pix or traditional bank transfer. Pix withdrawals confirm in seconds. Bank transfers may take longer depending on the receiving bank.

Cost Comparison: US to Brazil

Peanut Total Cost

For a $1,000 transfer:

Deposit fee (ACH): $0
Conversion (0.8%): ~$8
Recipient fee: $0
Total cost: ~$8 (0.8%)

Competitor Comparison

Provider	$1,000 Transfer Cost	Speed	Notes
Peanut	~$8 (0.8%)	Instant (Pix)	No IOF
Wise	~$10-15 (1-1.5%)	1-2 days	Subject to IOF on traditional rails
PayPal	~$30-40 (3-4%)	1-3 days	High fees + poor rate
Western Union	~$50-100 (5-10%)	Hours to days	Transfer fee + rate spread

Savings on Outbound Transfers from Brazil

If you're sending money from Brazil back to the US, the savings are even larger. Traditional transfers pay up to 3.5% IOF. Peanut pays zero IOF.

For a $5,000 outbound transfer:

Traditional bank (with IOF): ~$5,175 (3.5% IOF)
Peanut (no IOF): ~$5,040 (0.8% spread)
Savings: ~$135

Common Use Cases for US to Brazil

Tourists

Traveling to Brazil and need local spending power? Deposit via ACH before you leave, and use Pix at restaurants, shops, and hotels as soon as you land. No need to exchange cash at the airport or deal with credit card foreign transaction fees and IOF charges.

Digital Nomads

Working remotely from Brazil and getting paid in US dollars? Deposit your paycheck via ACH and spend via Pix without opening a Brazilian bank account or obtaining a CPF. Your Peanut balance stays in digital dollars, so you're not exposed to BRL fluctuations between deposits.

See the full digital nomads guide for more.

Remittances

Sending money to family in Brazil? They receive it instantly in their Peanut account and can spend via Pix or withdraw to their bank. No Western Union fees, no waiting in line, no IOF. They get more of what you send.

FAQ

Disclaimer

The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, legal, or financial advice. Tax treatment of digital asset transactions varies by jurisdiction and may change. Consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation.