Pix, the instant payment system, has not only revolutionized the way Brazilians conduct financial transactions but is also rapidly expanding. After reaching the impressive milestone of 227 million transactions in a single day in September 2024, according to Central Bank data, the system has been advancing since then with new functionalities that are expected to directly impact retail, credit, and access to digital services.
This year, two new features began to be released: Automatic Pix, ideal for recurring payments such as subscriptions and monthly fees; and Near Field Communication (NFC) Pix, which eliminates the need to open the banking app to make payments. Starting in September, the Installment Pix will begin to be implemented, followed by the Guaranteed Pix, scheduled for 2026/2027.
The new era of recurring payments
The Automatic Pix function promises to be a practical and inclusive alternative, especially for consumers who do not have a credit card. With it, it will be possible to schedule monthly payments for services such as gyms, subscription TV, streaming platforms, schools, and health plans, with automatic debit directly from the account.
For retailers, the function promises not only to expand the audience served but also to reduce default rates, as payments will be automatically and automatically debited directly from the customer's account.
Installment plan without a card
The Installment Pix, one of the most anticipated features, will allow consumers to make purchases on credit even without having a credit card. The operation will be carried out based on a pre-approved limit by the bank, with the total amount being immediately transferred to the retailer and the payment divided into installments with interest. In practice, it functions as an alternative to traditional installment plans, with the advantage of occurring directly within the banking environment. For the resource to be available, merchants need to be integrated into an enabled payment environment, such as SaqPay, a platform for digital payment solutions.
Pix in credit and digital inclusion
Fintechs and digital banks tend to quickly adopt these solutions, driving retail sales and offering more affordable alternatives to consumers. Although credit cards still dominate, Pix is expected to gain ground with lower costs for merchants and greater convenience for the public. The main challenge will be technological integration, but the sector is already prepared for this new phase of Pix consolidation in the financial ecosystem.
Challenges for internationalization
The expansion of Pix for international transactions still faces regulatory and technical obstacles. The first challenge is that each country needs to assess its payment policies to enable local financial institutions to adopt new technologies like Pix. Only after this stage will foreign banks be able to access the APIs provided by the Central Bank of Brazil. Additionally, it will be necessary to address currency conversion issues, as it has not yet been decided whether transactions will be processed in reais with subsequent conversion or directly in the local currency. Currency standardization and interoperability between systems will be key points for the viability of international Pix.
A new consumption behavior
With the arrival of functions like recurring Pix, installment payments, and proximity payments, experts point to a significant change in consumer behavior. The Brazilian is quick to adopt practical solutions. With these updates, Pix is strengthened as a comprehensive system that goes beyond transfers and consolidates its role as a key player in the country's financial ecosystem.
