The Central Bank of Brazil is set to launch a recurring transaction capability to Pix, the country’s instant payment method, in partnership with global tech firm EBANX.
Dubbed Pix Automático, the new capability is aiming to significantly enhance recurring payments in Brazil, positively impacting Latin America’s largest digital commerce market. EBANX is taking the lead for the new launch and is preparing to integrate global merchants with the new feature.
Starting this month, merchants of EBANX can access the technical documentation needed to integrate EBANX’s API for Pix Automático. EBANX’s partners will be able to start backend development, and will also have access to a simulated environment allowing them to thoroughly test their integrations and ensure readiness by June next year, when the Central Bank will release Pix Automático.
“By partnering with EBANX, merchants can secure their competitive edge in the market, being ready to offer Pix Automático from day one,” explained Fabio Scopeta, chief product and technology officer at EBANX. “This solution streamlines billing processes and subscription payments, reduces friction, and enhances payment efficiency, for users and businesses.”
Pix Automático also may improve customer satisfaction by providing more control and flexibility, leading to higher retention rates and fewer missed payments, since these will be scheduled.
From June 2025, Pix users will be able to utilise Pix Automático for future transactions without additional interaction by scanning a QR code or providing their banking details. They will also be able to pay a bill via QR code and then activate Pix Automático to simplify recurring transactions. After the payer authorisation, the amounts will be debited from their account at the frequency specified in the payment instructions.
Benefitting merchants and consumers alike
EBANX explained that, for merchants, this capability presents an opportunity to increase revenue and attract more clients. According to internal information from EBANX, which has been operating with Pix since its launch in 2020, companies accepting the instant payment method in digital commerce experience a 16 per cent increase in revenue and a 25 per cent growth in the number of clients.
With no fees for the payer, Pix Automático is a new step in the process of financial and digital inclusion promoted by the instant payment method, which integrated 71.5 million users into the financial system in the first two years of operation, according to the Central Bank of Brazil.
Pix has also helped connect these consumers with global and local companies. In the past two years, P2B (person-to-business) transactions have nearly doubled their share of monthly Pix transactions, increasing from 22 per cent to 40 per cent.
In addition to bill payments such as electricity, water, and rent, it is expected that Brazilians will also use Pix Automático for recurring payments in digital subscription-based business models, which may increase the number of P2B transactions.
“We are witnessing a boom in recurring payments in segments such as streaming services, SaaS, and digital media across the world, and in Brazil, these verticals may benefit from the launch of Pix Automático,” Scopeta concluded.
