Brazil has enacted a landmark regulation that permits authorities to channel crypto seized from felony organizations straight into public safety initiatives, marking a significant step within the nation’s crackdown on organized crime.
Signed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Legislation No. 15.358 equips regulation enforcement with unprecedented powers to freeze, block, and seize each conventional and digital property, together with crypto, throughout investigations.
The laws additionally permits the provisional use of seized cryptoassets, with judicial approval, to fund police operations, intelligence work, officer coaching, and different public safety efforts—even earlier than remaining convictions.
The regulation particularly targets ultraviolent felony organizations, paramilitary teams, and personal militias, broadening the definition of crimes and considerably growing penalties for acts equivalent to controlling territories, obstructing police, or utilizing encrypted messaging apps and privateness instruments to hide illicit exercise.
Authorities can now droop entry to exchanges, digital wallets, and on-line platforms throughout investigations, with everlasting restrictions utilized upon conviction.
The laws additionally facilitates worldwide cooperation for asset restoration and intelligence sharing, aiming to trace and recuperate illicit proceeds throughout borders.
The regulation additional strengthens civil measures, permitting courts to grab property, block funds, and liquidate property related to felony exercise.
It establishes a nationwide felony database that integrates the monetary buildings of identified felony teams, enhancing coordination between police, prosecutors, and the judiciary.
Brazil’s try at a bitcoin reserve
Again in February 2026, Brazilian lawmakers reintroduced a invoice proposing the creation of a Strategic Sovereign Bitcoin Reserve (RESBit) to progressively purchase a million bitcoins over 5 years.
The invoice, offered by Federal Deputy Luiz Gastão (PSD/CE), outlines a complete framework to combine Bitcoin into the nation’s monetary technique and diversify nationwide reserves.
The laws would prohibit promoting bitcoins seized by judicial authorities, enable federal taxes to be collected in Bitcoin, and encourage public firms to take part in Bitcoin mining and storage.
RESBit would emphasize transparency and safety, requiring public disclosure of holdings and use of chilly wallets, multisignature wallets, and different acknowledged storage strategies.
If authorised, Brazil would be part of a small group of nations holding nationwide Bitcoin reserves, following examples like El Salvador and proposals in the USA.
Additionally, French utility big Engie is contemplating including battery storage or bitcoin mining information facilities at its newly launched 895-MW Assu Sol photo voltaic plant in Brazil to offset curtailment losses and increase mission economics, Reuters reviews.
Regardless of coming into full industrial operation this month, the northeast Brazil facility has already confronted grid-imposed restrictions that restrict output when provide exceeds demand.
