Latam Insights: Brazil Introduces Crypto Tax Evasion Bill, El Salvador Finalizes New Bitcoin Diploma Program

Welcome to Latam Insights, a compilation of the most relevant crypto news from Latin America over the past week. In this edition, a bill to criminalize crypto-linked foreign currency tax evasion surges in Brazil, El Salvador finalizes its Bitcoin Diploma 2.0 educational program, and Engie mulls adding bitcoin mining to its operations in Brazil.

Bill Criminalizing Crypto-Powered Foreign Currency Tax Evasion Surges in Brazil

Brazil is taking measures to tighten its grip on rising volumes of crypto outflows, especially those involving stablecoins, by imposing penalties on undeclared cryptocurrency transactions.

Bill 746/2026, introduced by Federal Deputy Tabata Amaral, explicitly defines the crime of cryptocurrency tax evasion, getting stablecoin exchanges outside a gray zone classified as a loophole by some regulators and government officials.

The crime of foreign currency tax evasion is defined in Brazilian regulation as “carrying out an unauthorized exchange operation, with the purpose of promoting the evasion of foreign currency from the country.”

Read more.

El Salvador Finalizes Bitcoin Diploma 2.0 Educational Program

El Salvador is on the verge of expanding its bitcoin and money programs with a new educational development.

The National Bitcoin Office (ONBTC) of El Salvador recently announced the completion of its Bitcoin Diploma 2.0 educational program, an overhaul of prior attempts to bring bitcoin and money concepts to Salvadoran public schools.

The program, developed in partnership with innovation agency Wespark, explains the story of money and the rise of bitcoin in the simplest way possible, avoiding technical jargon.

Read more.

Engie Eyes Bitcoin Mining to Address Solar‑Power Curtailment in Brazil

Engie, a global power company, is seeking alternatives to leverage its excess solar power generation in Brazil.

According to reports, Eduardo Sattamini, Engie county manager for Brazil, stated that the French energy conglomerate is considering using part of the energy produced in Assu Sol, its largest solar facility, to power local bitcoin mining or data center operations.

Nonetheless, while the company is currently looking at other companies that would take the energy curtailed for these processes, Sattamini acknowledges that it will not be a quick process, as the logistics behind this option encompass interested companies building infrastructure near the complex.

Read more.

FAQ

• What recent legislation related to crypto is being proposed in Brazil?
  A bill in Brazil is seeking to criminalize foreign currency tax evasion linked to cryptocurrency, targeting undeclared transactions.
• What does El Salvador’s Bitcoin Diploma 2.0 program aim to achieve?
  The program provides education on bitcoin and financial concepts for public schools, simplifying the subject for students.
• Why is Engie considering bitcoin mining in Brazil?
  Engie plans to leverage excess solar power generation in Brazil for potential bitcoin mining operations to address solar power curtailment.