Brazil Investigates Major Banks For Restricting Cryptocurrency Brokers

September 19, 2018 5:30 PM

Brazil’s Administrative Council for Economic Defence (CADE) has opened an investigation into several of the country’s largest banks over monopolistic practices that may restrict the operation of local cryptocurrency brokers.

According to Reuters reports, CADE opened the investigation on September 18 after a request in June from the Brazilian Association for Cryptocurrency and Blockchain (ABCB). Several of Brazil’s largest banks are subject to the investigation: Banco do Brasil SA, Banco Bradesco SA, Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Banco Santander Brasil SA, Banco Inter, and Sicredi.

ABCB has reportedly accused the banks of using monopolistic practices to disadvantage cryptocurrency brokers by closing the bank accounts of – or refusing to open accounts for – these cryptocurrency actors.

The request from ABCB appears to include a case where Banco do Brasil closed the bank account of cryptocurrency arbitrage trader Atlas. ABCB president Fernando Furlan reportedly called the closure “abuse” because FinTech platforms like Atlas and cryptocurrency exchanges need access to traditional banking services to effectively operate.

Furlan, a former CADE chairman, reportedly informed his former organization that the restrictive practice is common across Brazil’s leading banks. Furlan plans to meet with Brazil’s Central Bank and the Brazilian Securities and Exchange Commission to hear their concerns over cryptocurrencies.

Brazil’s banks have argued that the account closures are due to a lack of client data and therefore are done to comply with anti-money laundering laws. But in calling for the investigation, CADE points to the banks “imposing restrictions or even prohibiting … access to the financial system by cryptocurrency brokerages.”

CADE is an independent watchdog agency under the Brazilian executive branch. It is charged with enabling free competition. According to its website, “CADE is responsible for judging and punishing, administratively and ultimately, individuals and companies that have committed violations against the economic order.”

Melanie Kramer is a freelance FinTech, blockchain, and cryptocurrency writer based between France and Canada. Melanie has studied, and retains an avid interest in, global politics, business, and economics.

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