Because pix biometrics is the future of payments in Brazil

The payments landscape in Brazil has undergone a major transformation in recent years, largely thanks to Pix 2020 by the Central Bank of Brazil, this fee-free transfer system is used daily by millions now, a new evolution launched and approved by the BC in February is on the scene, as part of the Open Finance agenda: the Biometric pixthis next-generation payment experience eliminates even more friction at checkout, using facial or fingerprint authentication to confirm transactions.

Although simple in its user experience, the biometric Pix has been developed based on a secure process that ensures ease and security.

Here is a guide to how the biometric Pix works from the user's point of view:

– Select Biometric Pix: At the time of purchase, the user chooses the biometric Pix as the payment method.

– Start registration/payment: The system sends the necessary payment information.If it is the first time the person uses Pix with that bank, the system also starts a single registration process.

– Redirect to the banking institution (for registration): The user is safely redirected to the application interface of your bank.

unique biometric register: The bank requests biometric validation (face or fingerprint scanning) for confirmation. Once validated, the institution securely stores this data for all future payments with that specific bank.

^return to the app and complete the payment: After this one-time registration (if applicable), or immediately for subsequent payments, the user is redirected back to the merchant's application.The payment is then authenticated through its biometrics, and the transaction is completed instantly.

Offering unmatched security, instant convenience and easy scalability, the biometric Pix is perfectly positioned to redefine the way payments are made across Brazil. 

Here are four main reasons for this:

1) It is as easy as unlocking the phone

With the biometric Pix, making a payment feels as natural as unlocking your device. Instead of juggling multiple apps or copying complicated codes, the entire transaction is completed with a simple face or fingerprint scan.The experience is similar to that of Apple Pay or Google Wallet, but with one key difference: there is no redirection. Users simply scan and pay, all in the same interface.

As Cesar Garcia, CEO of OneKey Payments explains: “Biometric payments have the potential to surpass Pix as the main payment method in Brazil in all sectors, from betting to e-commerce. We are talking about one click to scan your face or fingerprint, without opening your banking application or copying codes. This reduces the payment process from 2 minutes to less than 10 seconds, increases conversion and eliminates friction for users who want to enjoy the experience, not forms.”

2) Stronger security where it matters most

Security concerns are understandable, especially in a country where fraud is an ever-present danger.In 2024, more than half of Brazilians reported falling victim to financial scams. Nearly half of these cases involved credit card fraud, while fraudulent QR Pix codes accounted for a third.

This is one of the main reasons why biometric Pix offers a smarter alternative. Instead of relying on static information such as card numbers or Pix keys, it uses biometric authentication.This data is unique to each individual and is incredibly difficult to replicate. Most importantly, biometric information is never shared as raw data or images. Instead, it is encrypted and processed securely using advanced protocols that protect user privacy and prevent fraudsters from entering.

In practice, this means that the biometric Pix not only equals the security of the older methods, but also enhances them. No copying, no falsification, no interception codes. Only a face or fingerprint scan, instantly verified and protected from end to end.

3) Less steps, better results

The friction in payments is the silent killer of conversions, and the data proves this. The recently launched OneKey Payments “Disruptive Payments” survey shows that 63% of Latin American consumers abandoned purchases simply because they were asked to enter a lot of personal data. Meanwhile, more than two-thirds (68%) gave up when they were redirected to a second screen to validate the payment. In Brazil, where the average cart abandonment exceeds 80%, These small disruptions have a big impact on business.

The biometric Pix eliminates these obstacles by linking the biometric data directly to the user's bank account, allowing payments to be instantly confirmed in a single interface.This means that there are no forms or redirects. As a result, conversion rates with the biometric Pix can reach 90%, Compared to only 38% with traditional QR code flows.Of course, these conversion rates vary significantly depending on the business model and customer behavior, but processes that require fast transactions such as gambling and e-commerce present the most promising growth potential for biometrics.

4) Designed for rapid adoption across all industries

The Biometric Pix is still gaining traction.However, its core technology has been developed to scale in e-commerce environments and in any industry that deals with payments. As it integrates directly with the existing Pix infrastructure (used by millions of people) and takes advantage of the biometric authentication that users already know through their smartphones, it does not require new habits or additional equipment.

From retail and transportation to delivery, entertainment and other segments, any platform that accepts Pix can adopt the Biometric Pix without difficulties.This represents a huge potential and a significant threat to traditional card models, leading even major players like Visa and Mastercard to consider reinventions announced your entry into the open finance market with your own payment institution focused on Initiating Payments via Pix.

Although it is still in the initial phase of adoption, the entry of such relevant players in the open finance market and Journey Without Redirection (Biometric Pix) tends to significantly boost this solution, making its dissemination a matter of “when” and no more than “SE”.