Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed Regulation No. 15,358, which provides judges the authority to freeze, seize, and forfeit crypto and different belongings linked to prison organizations.
The legislation, also called the Authorized Framework for Combating Organized Crime or the Raul Jungmann Regulation, permits courts to take these measures throughout investigations, even and not using a prison conviction, and contains provisions to show seized belongings into public funds whereas blocking suspects from sustaining management over them.
“With this legislation, we now have the prospect to catch these answerable for the factions who reside in luxurious flats and whom we name the crime magnates of this nation. These folks should be arrested and punished in order that we will actually overcome organized crime,” President of the Republic stated in an announcement.
What separates this legislation from typical organized crime statutes
What units this legislation aside from different organized crime laws within the area is its give attention to digital finance.
Article 9 provides judges the facility to instantly block digital belongings, Pix instant-payment transfers, and transactions on crypto exchanges, with out notifying the accused, on the request of prosecutors or police.
Pix, launched by the Central Financial institution of Brazil, allows folks and companies to ship or obtain cash 24/7, immediately, utilizing simply an e mail, cellphone quantity, or a novel code referred to as a Pix key.
If the belongings are clearly linked to criminal activity, they are often bought earlier than a closing conviction via an “extraordinary forfeiture” course of. The proceeds are directed to federal and state safety funds, successfully turning seized Bitcoin, stablecoins, and different tokens into assets for legislation enforcement.
The size of Brazil’s crypto sector
Crypto is rising quicker than conventional investments in Brazil, with roughly 6.5 million folks actively investing in digital belongings as of February 2026, in accordance with Crystal Intelligence.
Stablecoins akin to USDT and USDC dominate exercise, comprising roughly 90% of complete transaction quantity, a sample that authorities have lengthy handled as an indicator of capital flight and cash laundering.
Crypto in Brazil drives each digital and real-world crime. Organized prison networks, scams, ransomware, and kidnappings collectively threaten nationwide safety and particular person traders.
From $2.4 billion laundered by the PCC to $54 billion misplaced in 2024 scams, the ecosystem is below fixed menace.
The 2026 authorized framework enforces transparency, KYC/AML requirements, cross-border reporting, and permits the provisional use of seized belongings. Intelligence-led oversight is vital to mitigating these complicated monetary crime dangers.
More durable penalties hit organized crime
The brand new laws establishes a complete authorized framework to fight ultra-violent prison organizations, paramilitary teams, and personal militias. It creates two new crimes, together with structured social domination and aiding structured social domination, with jail sentences starting from 12 to 40 years.
Along with increasing asset seizure and forfeiture powers, the legislation imposes stricter procedural timelines, permitting for judicial intervention in firms linked to prison teams, and mandating maximum-security federal imprisonment for leaders.
The legislation additionally amends the Penal Code, Code of Legal Process, and a number of other different statutes to extend penalties for linked offenses.
