Criptorama 2024, Brazil's largest crypto economy event, highlighted the confirmation that the Central Bank will continue to advance in regulating the digital asset market in 2025, with a primary focus on stablecoins and asset tokenization. The theme permeated debates across various panels, which brought together regulators and experts to reinforce the importance of a robust regulatory framework capable of balancing innovation and safety, fostering a favorable environment for the sector's development.
At the opening of the event, Bernardo Srur, CEO of the Brazilian Association of Cryptoeconomics (ABcripto), emphasized the strategic role of regulation in boosting the digital economy in Brazil. "We are experiencing a moment of transformation in the financial market. A qualified debate on regulation and innovation is essential to ensure the sustainable evolution of the sector," said Srur.
The event also shed light on the advances of Drex, the Central Bank's digital currency, seen as a project aimed at integrating the simplicity and accessibility of cryptocurrencies into the traditional financial system. According to Fabio Araújo, coordinator of Drex at the Central Bank, the proposal includes expanding access to financial services, enabling asset tokenization, and creating a more inclusive environment for investors and companies. "Drex is being built to democratize the capital market and simplify access to credit," highlighted Araújo.
For Antônio Marcos Guimarães, from the Regulation Department of the Central Bank's Financial System, stablecoins present distinct challenges, mainly due to their impact on monetary policy. Tokenization is seen as a strategic and powerful tool to expand access to investments and promote greater financial inclusion.
Day One: Regulation and Education as Pillars of Growth
In the panel on tokenization in the financial market, experts discussed both the challenges and the opportunities that arise with innovation. Tatiana Revoredo, co-founder of The Global Strategy, stated: "Brazil needs to advance in asset decentralization structures to align with global finance." Jonatas Montanini, co-CEO of Zuvia, highlighted the importance of regulatory sandboxes as the ideal environment to test new business models.
Another highlight was the tokenization of debts and equity crowdfunding, with Daniel Coquieri, CEO of Liqi Digital Assets, emphasizing the potential for debt issuance in the Brazilian market. "Tokenization is maturing and creating practical solutions for the financial sector," he said.
Closing the first day, Federal Prosecutor Alexandre Senra issued an important warning about the challenges related to digital crimes. There is no more effective prevention than education. We need to empower users to understand the risks and make informed decisions.
Second day: challenges and advances in sector regulation
As previously mentioned, the second day featured key debates about Drex, the Central Bank's digital currency. Fabio Araújo, the project coordinator at the Central Bank, stated that the Brazilian CBDC was developed to expand access to financial services and promote inclusion. During the panel "Drex in 2025: A New Era in the Making," Araújo emphasized: "Our goal is to provide simple and intuitive access for citizens, with practical solutions that promote security and innovation. We are engaging with the market to create financial services that benefit the population in an inclusive way."
He also addressed issues regarding the decentralization of Drex and explained how the use of advanced technologies, such as zero-knowledge proofs (ZKP), will be essential to ensure user privacy without sacrificing transparency and security in transactions.
Featured initiatives
The granting of the ABcripto Self-Regulation Seal for AML/FT was one of the main highlights of the event. The companiesBityBank, Coinext, Foxbit, PeerBR, GCB Group investment platform, Liqi, Parfin, Ripio, Urban Cripto and Zro BankThey were recognized for their commitment to good practices and regulatory compliance. According to Bernardo Srur, the result reinforces the entity's role in strengthening the sector: "Our program's main goal is to ensure that companies are aligned with the standards required by regulation, strengthening the confidence of investors and partners. The delivery of the Seal of Excellence is a recognition of organizations that have tread this path with commitment and responsibility."
Another important milestone was the Technical Cooperation Agreement between ABcripto and the National Council of the Public Ministry (CNMP), which will promote educational initiatives, the development of electronic systems for judicial orders, the creation of technical materials, and workshops aimed at promoting good practices in the national and international markets. "It is a movement that will continue to challenge the legal universe," said Atalá Correia, Judge at the Court of Justice of the Federal District and Territories.
The main goal of the agreement is to create an electronic system that optimizes the enforcement of judicial decisions involving cryptoassets, as well as support the accreditation of the Public Prosecutor's Office with virtual asset service providers (VASPs).
Closing and perspectives
Criptorama 2024 reinforced Brazil's relevance in the global crypto economy scene, bringing to light debates about the impact of blockchain technology, tokenization, and artificial intelligence on the future of the financial market and society. According to Bernardo Srur, "the event not only pointed out ways to overcome regulatory and security challenges but also consolidated Brazil as an innovation and development hub in the crypto sector."
The Criptorama was organized by ABcripto and supported by sponsors such as the National Association of Credit, Financing, and Investment Institutions (Acrefi), B3 Digitas, BitGo, Cainvest, CBA Advogados, Chainalysis, Coinext, Foxbit, GCB Investments, Itaú, Klever, Liqi, NovaDax, Núclea, Opus Software, PeerBR, Ripio, Ripple, Tether, VDV Advogados, Visa, and Zro Bank, in addition to institutional support from São Paulo Negócios. The event reinforced the Association's commitment to promoting a more transparent and innovative market, driving sustainable growth in the sector in Brazil.
