CrossTech Magazine - Breaking Down Borders - The Brazilian Revolution (14th Edition July 2023)

INDUSTRY LEADER

ANA TENA

CEO, Travelex Group Brazil

AROUND THE GLOBE

LINDSAY LEHR

LICELY SÁNCHEZ

TULIO PORTELLA

COMING OUT

FERNANDA ZAGO

RODRIGO XIMENDES

TO KEEP IN MIND

JOÃO CAMPANELLI

INSIDE JOB

ALOÍSIO MATOS & RAFAEL MARTINS

CHRISTINA HUTCHINSON

RÔMULO BARRETO

FINTECH INSIGHTS

VIVIAN PORTELLA

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AROUND THE GLOBE LINDSAY LEHR

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TULIO PORTELLA

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LICELY SÁNCHEZ

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COMING OUT FERNANDA ZAGO

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RODRIGO XIMENDES

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TO KEEP IN MIND JOÃO CAMPANELLI

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INSIDE JOB ALOÍSIO MATOS & RAFAEL MARTINS

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CHRISTINA HUTCHINSON

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RÔMULO BARRETO

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JUNE 2023

FINTECH INSIGHTS VIVIAN PORTELLA

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INDUSTRY LEADER

Tena CEO Travelex Group Brazil

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Ana

LINDSAY LEHR - AROUND THE GLOBE

Lindsay Lehr is the Managing Director at Payments and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI). PCMI helps the world’s top payment and technology companies make strategic decisions in emerging markets through research, data analysis, and innovative strategic thinking.

TULIO PORTELLA - AROUND THE GLOBE

Tulio Portella, commercial director of B&T Câmbio. He has an MBA in Foreign Trade and International Business from - FGV and a Post-Graduate degree in Family Business Management from PUC-RIO.

LICELY SÁNCHEZ - AROUND THE GLOBE

Licely Sánchez is the Foreign Business Manager of Bantrab, one of the most solid financial groups in Guatemala. In this interview, she tells us about the initiatives that she promotes in favor of the community of her country in the United States.

FERNANDA ZAGO

Fernanda Zago is a specialist in cross-border payment methods with more than 10 years of experience in the Brazilian payment industry and CEO of WEpayments, a fintech specialized in high-volume, instant

RODRIGO XIMENDES

Extensive experience in projects and processes, strategic consulting, MBA business management, career built in financial, administrative, retail and industrial services. Rodrigo has, experience in project and product management, focused on account and market developmentm, consultancy in development and implementation of systems and management tools using PMI concepts, knowledge in networks, connectivity and financial transaction tools and Integration APIs, and much more.

JOÃO MANUEL CAMPANELLI FREITAS - TO KEEP IN MIND

João Manuel studied Economics at PUC Campinas and holds a degree in Business Management from Fundação Dom Cabral. He completed Financial Management and Administration courses at FGV and is a specialist in Advanced Leadership from the Haggai Institute, United States. João has been working in the banking market since 1973 and has had stints at Bradesco, Unibanco, Safra, Santander, and Sofisa. Currently, João is an Executive Vice President at Grupo Travelex Confidence.

ALOÍSIO MATOS - INSIDE JOB

Aloísio Matos is the Head of Cross-border Businesses and Executive Director at Inter. He is graduated in law studies from Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie (Mackenzie – São Paulo) and a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Financial and Capital Markets from Insper – SP – Brazil, as well as important certifications, such as Fintech Specialist from Massachusetts Institute of Technology – MIT and CAMS –Certified Anti-money laundering specialist.

RAFAEL MARTINS - INSIDE JOB

Rafael Martins works on Aloísio’s team as a Cross-border Operations Specialist. With a law degree, currently works with Mass Payments Services, creating innovative Cross-border solutions, managing relationships with major payment aggregators, and supporting Inter in internationalization.

CHRISTINA HUTCHINSON - INSIDE JOB

Based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Christina is Vice President, Head of Business Development in Latin America for Nium. With over two decades of experience in financial technology and services, Christina is focused on expanding Nium’s presence within the region–by signing new merchants across banks, fintechs, digital and e-commerce platform verticals–and bringing Nium’s robust global payment capabilities to new parts of the market.

RÔMULO BARRETO - INSIDE JOB

Rômulo Barreto - Master in Market Administration, MBA in Project Management, Bachelor degrees in Public Relationships and Engineering. Head of Marketing and Products at Beeteller, fintech specialist in international payments and insurance.

VIVIAN PORTELLA - FINTECH INSIGHTS

Vivian Portella, CEO IZZI Remessas and Director of International Business at the B&T Group. She has been working for over 15 years in the International Transfer Financial sector. Holds a master degree in Business Management and Foreign Trade, with specialization in Governance and Compliance for Financial Institutions, and more recently specialized in Fintech from Harvard University.

ANA TENA -

Ana Tena holds a degree in Business Administration from Getúlio Vargas College and a degree in Law from the University of São Paulo. She is certified by IBGC and has completed specializations at Wharton, Columbia, Stanford, and Insead. She has been recognized as an "Outstanding Financial Executive" by the Brazilian Institute of Finance Executives (IBEF) and considered one of the 100 most influential people in the Latin American financial sector according to Bloomberg Línea.

Outbound small business payments: the top untapped opportunity for cross-border payments in Brazil

Brazil continues to make headlines globally for its innovations in payments. Pix, the Central Bank’s real-time payment system launched in 2020, has rapidly become the most widely used payment method in Brazil, and according to the Central Bank of Brazil and the Prime Time for Real-Time Report study, 1Pix represented 15% of instant payments globally with nearly 30 billion transactions. The Central Bank is also one of the most advanced in the world with respect to central bank digital currency and in March 2023 announced the winners of the LIFT challenge, a crowd-sourcing competition that asked industry stakeholders to develop potential use cases for the Digital Real. In the private sector, Brazil is home to the world’s largest neobank in terms of market capitalization, Nubank, and data from the Central Bank reports that financial inclusion is Brazil is well over 90%. In nearly all ways, Brazil’s public and private sector are stretching the limits of financial technology, pushing into fringe use cases, determined to solve the inefficiencies that still belabor money movement in the country.

One area where Brazil has not yet earned global headlines is in cross-border payments. Brazil is a relatively closed market with respect to foreign exchange, compared to trade Mexico, for example: Brazil’s trade-to-GDP ratio was 40% in 2021 compared to Mexico’s 84%. 2This is due to the sheer size of Brazil’s domestic market (8th largest in the world), and to regulation, including a variable “IOF” and withholding tax applicable on certain foreign exchange transactions, and strict requirements on which institutions can access the foreign exchange market.

Even so, just about anything in Brazil can be considered big, due to the sheer size of its economy, and Brazil has attracted a lot of investment and fintech to various cross-border use cases. Here is a look at some numbers in the outbound cross-border market in 2023 (estimated forecasts):

1BCB, 2023. “Pix is one of the world’s most used instant payment systems.”

2World Bank

AROUND THE GLOBE

We can see that the primary opportunity in the cross-border industry is small business exports, which dwarfs other payment verticals. And yet, very little payment innovation has flowed to this vertical. By and large, small business in Brazil depends on international wire transfers to pay invoices abroad and have limited (and expensive) access to the foreign exchange market. And while the Central Bank and other fintechs are making inroads to improve outbound cross-border payments, today the focus is on payments within Latin America, i.e. to Colombia and Argentina. These efforts could be misplaced when it comes to serving small businesses, considering the top outbound corridors for small business invoice payments are China, the US, and Germany.

Why this is changing

Cross-border payment companies, therefore, have the opportunity to disrupt the market for small businesses, streamlining payments, making them more accessible, transparent and affordable, and change may be on the horizon, consider four key trends:

1 - Fintechs dedicated to international payments for small businesses. Some companies are actively working on this. Cross-border banking fintech and licensed foreign exchange bank, Bexs, provides specialized import/export service and international remittances for companies.

2 - International accounts becoming more accessible. Global and local fintechs & medium size banks such as Wise, C6, BS2 make it possible for Brazilian companies to open international accounts to make and receive payments in multiple currencies.

3 - International Pix

The Central Bank has cross-border payments with Pix on its long list of agenda items, but an update came in February this year, when president of the Central Bank, Roberto Campos Neto, said that Brazil is considering organizing with a block of countries to enable international Pix. The central bank has already met with representatives from Colombia, Ecuador, Chile and Uruguay to this end.

4 - More flexible regulation

Brazilian regulators understand that to maintain the competitiveness of their economy, regulation must remain flexible and pro-business. As such, the IOF for credit card purchases abroad was reduced from 6.38% to 5.38% in 2023, and the IOF for all foreign exchange transactions will fall to zero by 2029. At the end of 2022, the Central Bank also become more flexible on offering access to the FX market, enabling acquirers and other regulated payment institutions (most of which are fintechs) to provide cross-border services.

The cross-border market in Brazil still has a long way to go to becoming fully open, transparent and accessible to small businesses. But with 30 million small and micro businesses in Brazil, representing 30% of Brazil’s GDP (north of $500 billion), there is a large opportunity to provide them with better access to cross-border payments. As commerce becomes more globalized and Brazil’s economy grows, small businesses will continue to source goods and services from all other the world, providing a nearly $100 billion opportunity for those who are positioned to capture it.

Lindsay Lehr Managing Director, PCMI

Payment Methods: The Revolution of the Decade in the Foreign Exchange Sector

The year was 2012. There was still little talk about fintechs. B&T was already dedicated to a topic that has gained as much relevance as financial startups in the last decade: innovation in payment methods. Specifically in our case, cross-border payment services and money transfers: both the mass payments made by companies, for instance, to pay suppliers, teams, and international partners, and the remittance operations made by immigrants to send money back to their home countries.

Initially, the intermediation of these services was concentrated in the hands of a few large banks. I witnessed the opening of the market from B&T's pioneering, when, in the main forums of the currency exchange segment in the country, we reinforced the importance of expanding the boundaries of the sector, including new players, and expanding the range of institutions able to process payments and transfers. A movement that has been translated into business diversity, competitiveness, fluidity in commercial relations, and better conditions for clients, facilitating access to services and reducing costs.

B&T's initiatives back in 2012 started preparing this market for the size it is today. A segment with increased capacity to serve companies that expand their business to new countries and depend on internationalization to stay in the game. A scenario that has seen an unprecedented leap in the number of Brazilians going to live abroad and companies hiring professionals in dozens of different nations. Not to mention the explosion of online commerce, which sees no borders to deliver products and remunerate organizations and people. In all cases, an agile and efficient payment and transfer service has been essential.

One of the characteristics that I most admire in this market is its potential to serve all kinds of customers. And therein also lies much of the social and collective function that has always helped drive B&T's pioneering initiatives. It is a democratic service that can benefit from organizations with businesses on all continents that need to honor commitments to the remote immigrant who, even without a bank account, needs to send money to support his or her family back home. An opportunity we have to help boost both the strategy of giant corporations and the lives of people who simply want to pay for their children's schooling, their parents' medical care, and seek a better life.

Over the years, facing different customer demands, we have also improved our services. Transfers of smaller sums are more simplified and can be done through the fintech IZZI Remessas, which uses the B&T Exchange API to perform operations. Larger amounts remain within B&T's structure and, due to their high complexity, require specialized consulting, which involves from the analysis of the operation and tax issues to the exchange rate framework up to structuring the service in the most efficient way for the client.

With technology and the increasing global integration of companies and people, in the coming years the revolution in payment methods will accelerate even further..

By

Tulio Portella, commercial director of B&T Câmbio. He has an MBA in Foreign Trade and International Business from - FGV and a Post-Graduate degree in Family Business Management from PUC-RIO.

Tulio Portella Commercial Director of B&T Câmbio

–What is the reason for the recognition that Banco de los Trabajadores recently received in Los Angeles?

–The authorities of that city recognized our efforts to expose the art and history of Guatemala at the 2022 Chapín Festival and, in this way, contribute to cultivating culture in the community.

–What motivated the financial group to become the main sponsor of this event?

–Bantrab was born in 1966 to promote the welfare of workers wherever they are and Los Angeles is one of the US cities with the largest number of Guatemalans in the United States. Supporting the Chapín Festival is giving the opportunity to more than 70 thousand of them to enjoy the traditions and folklore of their country.

Bantrab Guatemalans works for wherever they are

Licely Sánchez is the Foreign Business Manager of Bantrab, one of the most solid financial groups in Guatemala. In this interview, he tells us about the initiatives that he promotes in favor of the community of his country in the United States.

Licely Sánchez Foreign Business Manager, Bantrab

It is a sign that we value your fight.

–What other initiatives does Bantrab promote in favor of the Guatemalan community in the United States?

–Our Well-being Strategy rests on three pillars: financial, social and digital. That is why, in addition to establishing alliances with the most important money transfer companies in the world, we have developed the Bantrab Remittances App to send money at no cost and in real time. Additionally, compatriots in Guatemala can open monetary and savings accounts 100% digitally through the YoLo electronic wallet, which allows them to personally manage their money wherever they are.

What efforts are made under the social pillar?

–One of them is the repatriation insurance that we grant to people who send money to Guatemala through allied remittance companies and the Bantrab application. Another is the opening of an Advice Center in the facilities of the Guatemalan Consulate in Los Angeles, in order to facilitate services to compatriots, help ensure that they are treated with the dignity they deserve, and offer them financial guidance. This is the first of a series of planned centers. The next ones will be open in San Bernardio and San Francisco.

-What does the orientation that they will give consist of?

–Five years ago, we opened the first free personal finance advisory office in Guatemala, which works in person and virtually. Workers turn to us to learn how to manage their income, expenses, credits, savings, insurance... We will give the same attention to our compatriots in the United States because we are convinced that financial health is key to their overall well-being.

Guatemalans will also be able to benefit from GuateAprende, a free access platform developed in partnership with Crehana that offers online courses and specializations to workers and entrepreneurs.

WHO IS LICELY SANCHEZ?

Licely has a 19-year career in banking and currently works as Bantrab's Foreign Business Manager. She has a degree in Computer Science and Administration with an MBA in Marketing and one to finish in Digital Transformation.

Her main challenge is to balance her professional side with her personal side. She practices yoga and running. She loves to cook. But her main source of motivation and joy are her children, Samuel André and José Daniel, aged 10 and 6.

LEARN MORE ABOUT BANTRAB!

Licely Sánchez received the recognition that the City of Los Angeles granted to Bantrab.

Fernanda Zago é especialista em meios de pagamentos cross-border com mais de 10 anos de experiência na indústria de pagamentos brasileira e CEO da WEpayments, fintech especializada em pagamentos instantâneos e cross-border, de altos volumes. Formada em administração de empresas com ênfase em finanças pela FAE Business School em Curitiba, com especialização em administração de empresas e gestão

4.0 pela PUC do Rio Grande do Sul e em Marketing de Negócios, pelo Holmes Institute da Austrália, já atuou como country manager da Dlocal, primeiro unicórnio do Uruguai com capital aberto na Nasdaq, entre outras instituições de pagamentos. Fernanda se tornou referência como uma das pioneiras na implantação de pagamentos junto a novas regras cambiais e de metodologias de facilitação de pagamentos internacionais.

Fernanda Zago CEO da WEpayments

A doReinvenção Sistema Financeiro

Brasileiro: Rumo a uma Nova Era

O sistema financeiro brasileiro está passando por uma transformação significativa impulsionada por avanços tecnológicos, mudanças regulatórias e uma demanda crescente por serviços mais ágeis, acessíveis e inclusivos. Essa reinvenção visa permitir que mais pessoas participem da economia formal e desfrutem dos benefícios oferecidos pelo setor.

Um dos principais impulsionadores dessa transformação é a ascensão das fintechs no país. Com modelos de negócios inovadores, tecnologias avançadas e um foco excepcional na experiência do cliente, que desafiam as instituições financeiras tradicionais a se renovarem. Além disso, a implementação do Open Banking e do Open Finance promove ainda mais a concorrência e a inovação, permitindo que as empresas criem soluções financeiras mais integradas e colaborativas.

Uma das mudanças mais significativas no sistema financeiro brasileiro foi o lançamento do sistema de pagamentos instantâneos PIX pelo Banco Central, impulsionado pela digitalização dos pagamentos e incentivando a adoção de soluções mais eficientes. O PIX tem sido amplamente adotado e já se tornou uma âncora para o desenvolvimento de produtos inovadores pelo BC junto ao Open Finance, nos quais destacam-se a iniciação de pagamentos via Pix e o Pix Internacional

A iniciação de pagamentos permite que os usuários façam transferências diretamente de diferentes ambientes digitais. Já o Pix Internacional torna as remessas para outros países mais eficientes e baratas. O BC está estudando diferentes formas de integração direta com sistemas de pagamento utilizados em outros países.

Outro aspecto importante da transformação do sistema financeiro é a utilização da inteligência artificial, que transformará completamente a forma como realizamos pagamentos. Essa reinvenção em resposta às demandas de uma economia digital impacta diretamente o mercado de pagamentos cross border e cria um ambiente propício para que empresas como a WEpayments, que surgiu juntamente com o PIX, desenvolvam soluções disruptivas para empresas transfronteiriças.

Podemos considerar que a WEpayments é uma fintech precursora do PIX Internacional e nossa expertise nos dá bases sólidas para atender empresas de remessa online com uma gama de serviços de pagamento e Fxs. Como panorama do mercado de remessa, em 2022, o BC registrou o maior ingresso de dinheiro do exterior nos últimos 30 anos: 4,7 bilhões de dólares. Nos anos 90, esse valor era de apenas um bilhão. A "conveniência das transferências instantâneas" é o principal impulsionador desse crescimento.

O aumento da concorrência entre as empresas de remessas que desejam uma fatia desse mercado, apresenta desafios na diferenciação por meio de serviços de valor agregado, preços competitivos e uma experiência excepcional para o cliente, a fim de se destacar.

Uma maneira de enfrentar esses desafios é aproveitar as oportunidades de parceria com um provedor de pagamentos cross border sediado no Brasil, como a WEpayments, que garante uma experiência local com a melhor infraestrutura tecnológica.

Ter um parceiro estratégico no Brasil permite entender as complexidades do sistema financeiro local e seguir os requisitos de conformidade e as regulamentações específicas do setor. Essa expertise ajuda as empresas de remessa a navegarem sem esforço por processos complexos, garantindo a conformidade e mitigando os riscos de forma eficaz das suas operações.

A Treviso e o Mercado Brasileiro de Câmbio e suas novas soluções

O MERCADO

Nos últimos anos, o mercado financeiro brasileiro viu o surgimento de diversas fintechs e também do chamado Banking as a Service – ou seja, a possibilidade de qualquer empresa ofertar serviços financeiros aos clientes.

Por outro lado, o mercado de câmbio não acompanhou esta tendência, adotando uma abordagem tradicional no relacionamento com os seus clientes, mesmo com o surgimento de diversas iniciativas de fintechs de câmbio.

“O problema é que todas essas empresas se deparavam com o mesmo problema, ou seja, estruturas tecnológicas defasadas dos fornecedores de serviços de câmbio (bancos e corretoras). O que torna a operação um tanto quando onerosa, visto a quantidade de ‘head count’ necessário para operacionalizar estas plataformas”, explica Rodrigo Ximendes, Head de Inovação da Treviso.

NOVAS SOLUÇÕES DE CÂMBIO

E ainda que esse mercado sempre tenha sido mais restrito, a recente modernização proposta pelo Bacen (Branco Central do Brasil), por meio do novo marco de câmbio, possibilitará o acesso de maneira mais simplificada aos serviços.

“Um bom exemplo disso é o que fizemos recentemente com a solução em uma maquininha de cartão. Já imaginou enviar ou receber dinheiro do exterior em uma padaria? Ou no táxi que está te levando ao aeroporto? O próprio taxista pode ser uma casa de câmbio. Fantástico né?”, analisa Ximendes.

As possibilidades são muitas. Com a ajuda de Ximendes, apresentamos, a seguir, algumas soluções que a Treviso Corretora já está implementando no mercado de câmbio:

FXaaS (Foreign Exchange as a Service): é um Banking as a Service do câmbio, o que aumenta muito as possibilidades de serviços financeiros que podem ser oferecidos pelas empresas. Na prática, exchanges como a Treviso Corretora possibilitam que companhias de qualquer setor possam ter câmbio de moedas e transferências internacionais, entre outros, com ajuda de tecnologia de fácil integração.

Integração com Plataformas de Investimentos: O cliente, a partir da própria plataforma de operação, pode realizar as suas transferências de reais para dólar. “A operação é automaticamente liquidada a partir do pagamento via Pix pelo cliente, e os valores são transferidos para a conta de investimento dele”, esclarece Ximendes.

Integração com Carteiras Digitais: Através da nossa API, Carteiras Digitais podem oferecer o serviço de câmbio para seus clientes. Inclusive, o valor da transferência em moeda estrangeira é debitado ou creditado diretamente da conta digital de quem está realizando a operação. “A nossa tecnologia possibilita realizar transferências internacionais, enviar remessas expressas e vender moeda em espécie”, conta Ximendes.

PocketStore: A Treviso Corretora lançou uma loja de câmbio completa em que é possível realizar remessas para conta corrente ou para saque em espécie em mais de 200 países e 430 mil pontos no mundo.

WhatsApp: Umas das vantagens de termos desenvolvido o FXaaS foi podermos propagar a mesma jornada e experiência dos clientes em diferentes canais de distribuição dos nossos produtos. Fruto disso é a possibilidade de realizar operações de câmbio diretamente pelo WhatsApp. O processo inicia com nosso atendimento via BOT e, ao escolher enviar uma remessa imediatamente, o cliente é direcionado para o fluxo da nossa API, até finalizar a operação e receber o QR Code para pagamento do PIX.

Exchange Service Bus (ESB): possibilita a busca e inserção de operações de maneira descentralizada, validando em tempo real dados como a situação do cliente na Receita Federal, validação de endereço, geolocalização, lista restritiva, status do cliente na instituição, limites e operações realizadas. “O processo de onboarding do cliente é facilitado, uma vez que com pouquíssimas informações é possível traçar um perfil de risco dele e conceder um limite personalizado em fração de segundos”, aponta Ximendes.

O QUE VEM POR AÍ

Ainda de acordo com o Head de Inovação, aqui no Brasil, em um futuro próximo, ocorrerá uma forte expansão no mercado de câmbio na modalidade retail.

“Uma vez que qualquer estabelecimento ou cliente pode ser um ponto de liquidação de câmbio, para o varejo em geral, isto trará um ganho em receitas marginais, como o que aconteceu com a recarga de celular, por exemplo”, esclarece.

E toda esta expansão irá acirrar a concorrência ao reduzir as margens de spread das corretoras e bancos de câmbio.

“Ganha o cliente final, com custos menores e ganha a indústria de câmbio, com a modernização tecnológica”, conclui Ximendes.

Rodrigo Ximendes

no táxi que está te levando ao aeroporto? O próprio taxista pode ser uma casa de câmbio.”

“Já imaginou enviar ou receber dinheiro do exterior em uma padaria?

Ou

Head de Inovação da Treviso

Payments Market: The Era of Financial Innovation

Recent innovations in the payments market have been a booster to change the way that financial transactions are conducted. Technological advancements and the demand for more efficient and secure solutions have led to the need for market reinvention, contributing to the advancement of these innovations. The rise of digital payments has revolutionized the international market, with solutions such as digital wallets, mobile applications, and online payment platforms that facilitate transfers, eliminating the need for traditional methods such as pay checks and bank transfers.

Pix is a good example of innovation in the Brazilian payments market. The payment system created by the Central Bank of Brazil, which enables instant transfers between accounts at any time or day of the week, moved R$ 10.9 trillion in 2022, according to data from the Central Bank (BC). This transaction volume through Pix in 2022 is more than double that registered of 2021.

Another relevant example within this universe of innovations is blockchain, which offers greater transparency and traceability in transactions, besides being a technology that promises to revolutionize the way we understand the financial system today, leading to a process called tokenization. The application of new concepts and functionalities has also enhanced another important instrument for the market, which is Open Banking, paving the way for greater integration and collaboration among financial institutions.

International transactions are a very clear example of how blockchain allows greater innovation in the segment. It is in this scenario of countless possibilities that the foreign exchange market begins to benefit, making its procedures more efficient, faster, and with lower costs.

As technology advances and consumer needs evolve, new solutions and services will continue to emerge to improve the efficiency and convenience of global financial transactions.

Biometric authentication payments, such as fingerprint, facial, and voice recognition, which are being used to authorize and validate international transactions, and contactless payments, which have gained popularity worldwide with Near Field Communication (NFC) technology, where users can make payments simply by tapping their devices (credit cards, smartphones, wearables), are part of a natural process of evolution in this payments market. These technologies help improve security, providing a faster and more convenient payment experience for customers.

Not to mention the inumerous forms of transfer between financial institutions, whether internal or cross-border operations, which are emerging as options for speed and quality in services provision. Many institutions are developing their own networks using blockchain processes, interconnecting with their products, thus creating internal synergy that produces new customer experiences.

João Manuel studied Economics at PUC Campinas and holds a degree in Business Management from Fundação Dom Cabral. He completed Financial Management and Administration courses at FGV and is a specialist in Advanced Leadership from the Haggai Institute, United States. João has been working in the banking market since 1973 and has had stints at Bradesco, Unibanco, Safra, Santander, and Sofisa. Currently, João is an Executive Vice President at Grupo Travelex Confidence

Inter: Simplifying lives and breaking down financial barriers

Imagine living in a world where managing your financial life is simple. Well, that's the reality of millions of Brazilians.

Inter has built a solid presence in Brazil with over 26 million clients and a Super App with multiple financial and non-financial services and products. The clients have access to a variety of solutions, such as banking, investments, credit, insurance, and cross-border services, in addition to a marketplace that brings together the best brands in Brazil and in the United States.

Among our range of offerings, there's a mass payment process that provides businesses with a streamlined solution to make multiple payments in Brazil through a single integration. This service offers attractive exchange rate and fees, which enables millions of beneficiaries to receive real-time payments in local currency through Pix (Brazilian system of instant payments) with minimal bureaucracy and no friction.

Our latest release is focused on our business customers. Inter Business is a complete platform to internationalize a business. Within this exclusive and user-friendly platform, customers can easily make their cross-border transactions.

However, besides the considerable advance of the country in terms of technological innovation, a study conducted in 20211 revealed that around 21% of Brazilians either don't have a bank account or don’t use it frequently. That's an interesting number that boosts our goal to reach even more people with our app, changing the way they deal with their finances.

Furthermore, there're other challenges that catch Inter's attention, such as the remittance scenario around the world. Every year, the cost of sending money home for Latin Americans who live abroad increases dramatically. Besides that, emigrants face delays, high fees, and other insecurities when managing their money internationally.

Inter knows this reality and is focused on enhancing the accessibility and affordability of banking services for all individuals and businesses. With nearly 30 years of experience in the Brazilian financial market, we are expanding internationally.

In 2022 Inter strengthened its global presence by becoming a Nasdaq-listed company. Today, we're present in Brazil, Canada, and in the US, but we aim higher with the goal of making all the various features of our app available to the world.

Our international app enables users to move their money across borders with a few clicks. The app has more than 60 corridors, customer service in 3 languages (English, Portuguese, and Spanish), a 24/7 remittance service, and an online shopping section with cashback.

We're making ourselves present in the life of our customers and, to enhance our relationship with them and showcase our capabilities, we have attended major events with a team of experts in remittances. We also continue to evolve and innovate, aiming to break barriers and provide unique financial solutions to democratize access to banking services worldwide.

If you want to be part of this orange revolution, we invite you to meet us at upcoming events and download our app. It will be a pleasure to meet you!

Join us on this journey!

Aloísio Matos FX & Cross-border Executive Director, Inter Rafael Martins Cross-border Operations Analyst, Inter

Unlocking the potential of B2B cross-border payments in Brazil

Brazil has become one of the leading markets, promising strong potential as a regional business hub. Largely driven by the increased adoption of digital payments, regulatory changes, and higher financial inclusion, the landscape in the country continues to evolve at a rapid pace revolutionizing the nature of money modern movement. Some specific trends are shaping Brazil´s payment ecosystem.

1 - A need for localization in payments. As digital payments and the SME sector expand, businesses need to move money in real time across various payment corridors that connect to local payment infrastructure. Localization ensures transparency in foreign exchange (FX) rates and enhances operational efficiency.

To address these trends, Nium has worked with leading institutions across LATAM to give access to a scalable payments solution for international businesses. With dedicated local support in Brazil, 20 offices worldwide, 11 global licenses, and approval for money movement, Nium brings extensive business knowledge alongside local and global expertise to cater to the evolving needs of the market.

2 - Real-time payments and growth in platform business models. The number of freelancers in the economy has grown rapidly. As more people adopt gig work, a range of payment options – from wallets to virtual cards– are needed. PIX has primarily driven Brazil’s transformation and shows how real-time payments can launch and scale. Currently, PIX accounts for over 70% of all transactions, and adoption is expected to grow further with the introduction of new features.

To support the on-demand economy, Nium, the leader in global real-time payments, has engineered the fastest network to collect, convert and disburse funds around the world to accounts, cards, and wallets. Through Nium, nearly 100% of all transactions are completed in less than 15 minutes.

3 - Fintechs are playing an increasingly significant role. The emergence of Brazil as a key area for payments has prompted market moves from local companies and international players keen to capitalize on its financial potential. Fintechs, especially, are playing a pivotal role, with financial institutions and large banks providing new rails to facilitate global outbound transactions through partnerships. This trend is driven by the market potential and Brazil´s efforts to promote financial inclusion.

4 - New regulatory framework. In 2020, Brazil introduced PIX, along with Open Banking initiatives, and the implementation of the new regulatory foreign exchange framework. These milestones have transformed the payment landscape in recent years.

Expanding opportunities in Brazil with Nium

Using a modular API suite, businesses can access fully compliant payment rails, enabling seamless payment acceptance regardless of geography. Companies that integrate with Nium can:

- Open global accounts and collect funds in a virtual wallet across 35 strategic markets, including Latin America, Southeast Asia, the U.K., Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, India, and the U.S.

- Disburse funds in real-time to more than 100 countries in 100 local currencies

- Meet local regulatory and compliance requirements

- Perform seamless foreign exchange

- Access physical and virtual card issuance in 34 countries, including Europe (SEPA), the U.K., Australia, and Singapore

INSIDE JOB

Christina Hutchinson

Vice President, Head of Business

Development in Latin America, Nium

About Christina Hutchinson

Based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Christina is Vice President, Head of Business Development in Latin America for Nium. With over two decades of experience in financial technology and services, Christina is focused on expanding Nium’s presence within the region–by signing new merchants across banks, fintechs, digital and e-commerce platform verticals–and bringing Nium’s robust global payment capabilities to new parts of the market.

Beeteller launches payment solution with Pix abroad

The Payment Institution will launch its newest solution for recipients of Pix for merchants outside Brazil.

Pix, Brazil's instant payment method, has revolutionized the way the country makes payments. According to the Central Bank of Brazil, the payment method has become the main one in the market in just two years since its launch, moving more than R$ 10 trillion.

The solution, which has already surpassed the use of credit cards in Brazil, also promises innovations for the future, such as its use in other countries. In the meantime, Beeteller, a Brazilian Payment Institution specializing in cross-border payments, is launching a solution on the market that will allow companies from other countries to accept Pix in their establishments outside Brazil.

“Beeteller's International Pix brings all the ease of payment that Brazilians already know to the main countries where we find Brazilians traveling for business, tourism, or residence,” says Caio Vidal, CTO and co-founder of Beeteller. The novelty, which will be launched in June, will be presented at an event with the participation of the Central Bank of Brazil, in São Paulo. At the event, the company will present the machine model that will be initially used.

The new product is already in the testing phase and should debut in Paraguay, still in the first semester. According to Caio Vidal, “Thousands of Brazilians who consume products or services in Paraguay will soon be able to make their payments at commercial establishments using Pix, just as they use within Brazil itself. And it doesn't stop there, the solution will soon be made available to other countries such as Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, as well as Europe and the United States”.

The company will make the solution available in two different formats: the already-known machine and through integrated technology (API). The whole process is quite simple, fast, and completely digital. “After creating an account at Beeteller, the merchant will be able to receive via Pix, using a machine, similar to the one we use for cards, or integrate it into their system to generate QR Codes on cashier screens, websites, and other monitors,” says Caio.

In addition to the convenience for the merchant, the solution is a more cost-effective alternative for the customer than other methods. The company still does not reveal the fees but claims that the amounts may represent an important reduction in the current cost compared to international credit card payments.

According to Beeteller, with this launch, the company seeks to transform the payment experience of Brazilians when traveling abroad, promoting greater ease and savings.

Created in Campo Grande – MS, with offices in Campina Grande – PB and representation in Greece and Portugal, Beeteller is a Payment Institution specializing in Cross-border Payments, security, and banking infrastructure, licensed by the Central Bank of Brazil. The company works by helping merchants around the world to access millions of consumers in the Latam market.

Rômulo Barreto Beeteller Head of Marketing & Products

What happens when you are the first customer of your own Fintech!

One of the best opportunities for entrepreneurs working in the foreign exchange sector while living abroad is being a regular customer of the service their own company offers.

Many of the ideas we implemented in IZZI came from the needs I personally had as a direct consumer of this type of service for at least five years, since I moved to the United States from Brazil.

The result is a product that was born and developed with a strong focus on user experience. In my role as CEO, I analyze markets, help structure the company, recommend strategies, and test possibilities. As a customer, I know firsthand the challenges faced by those living outside the country and needing to make international remittances, as well as the obstacles and necessary changes in the processes.

One of the initial insights was that, in a foreign land, immigrants often seek what is familiar and close to them. In an environment that presents numerous challenges due to its novelty, customers are always looking for convenience and security, especially in important services like financial ones. This is why IZZI reflects that in features like the app interface, language, personalized customer support, and the way the service is designed to connect people and make them feel at ease anywhere on the planet.

One of the first major challenges for our fintech was precisely what accelerated its entry into the market. In March 2020, B&T Câmbio, one of the largest currency exchange brokers in Brazil, had a network of more than 100 physical stores where international transfers could be withdrawn in cash. But during the height of the pandemic, all these locations were forced to close for months.

To ensure accessibility to funds, one of the solutions was to present the MVP (Minimum Viable Product) of this innovative international remittance fintech in less than three months.

Since then, the product, which utilizes B&T's API for operations, has been refined and officially relaunched in 2022 under the name IZZI, with brand-new functionalities.

In a market dominated by large banks and global technology players, estimated in Usd 28 billion according to the Central Bank, we have been agile in breaking paradigms. Currently, our customers can send money from Brazil to Europe in 10 minutes, whereas traditional models typically take two days. Costs have also been reduced significantly. A transaction through IZZI can be up to 70% cheaper compared with traditional banking institutions in Brazil.

As next steps, IZZI is expanding to the United States, enabling payments from there to Brazil and to the world. And also, now processing payments for brazilian employees remotely hired by international companies, addressing the growing demand for international payroll and other types of b2c and b2b cross border payments.

Being a customer of my own fintech helps manage the company developments and growth, by gaining a deeper understanding of what other clients needs through observation, conversations, and research. Soon, IZZI, which currently serves the Brazilian community, will reach other economies and communities. Always with the concept of being friendly, simple, approachable, and, as the name suggests, IZZI peasy for everyone.

By Vivian Portella, CEO IZZI Remessas and Director of International Business at the B&T Group.

She has been working for over 15 years in the International Transfer Financial sector. Holds a master degree in Business Management and Foreign Trade, with specialization in Governance and Compliance for Financial Institutions, and more recently specialized in Fintech from Harvard University.

FINTECH INSIGHTS

Vivian Portella IZZI CEO

B2B PAYMENTS ARE THE PRESENT AND FUTURE!

Every year, B2B payments move enormous sums of money. In 2023, global B2B payments are expected to reach $54 trillion. Yet, B2B digital payments remain largely in the past. 80% of all B2B companies still prefer to use checks.

This begs the essential question: Why do businesses continue to rely on legacy methods?

Though the answer is rather complicated, the solution is surprisingly simple—change is coming fast (and furiously).

As the numbers grow, so does the accompanying need for efficiency, reliability, and security. Business payments simply must become faster, cheaper, and safer. Digitization is the de facto solution—the only path forward for global organizations.

This is where UniTeller’s Business Payments come into play. From receiving payments to paying vendors internationally, businesses are empowered with an efficient and secure way to handle transactions.

Begin your journey with a payment gateway API and digital solutions to streamline B2B, C2B, and B2C cross-border payments at

CrossTech Payments 2023: UniTeller Announcement

Travelex Confidence Group boosts growth with a focus on service customization

According to Ana Tena, CEO of Travelex Confidence Group, a significant portion of the company's growth is organic and stems from personalized customer service. "Digitalization is a natural market movement, which remains on our radar, but personal interaction is our priority as a company. When it comes to customer service in the financial market, trust and security are crucial factors. In our case, we operate in the foreign exchange market, which can be complex, little known, and highly regulated in Brazil. That's why our service is customized according to the customer's needs, whether they are individuals or businesses conducting tourism or import and export operations. Customers can be assisted digitally if they prefer, but personal assistance is always available to clarify any doubts and ensure a faster and smoother experience," comments Ana.

The Travelex Group, a global leader in foreign exchange (FX), represented in Brazil by Travelex Bank and Travelex Confidence brokerage, has doubled its results while maintaining a customer-focused approach through digital solutions and dedicated bankers/FX Advisors, providing innovative responses and solutions within a few hours, ensuring credibility, security, proximity, and a commitment to excellence.

During a period marked by economic recovery, the company continues to grow by relying on its specialized operations in foreign exchange and international trade, acting cautiously in a volatile, competitive, and ever-changing market. "Innovation is not just about breaking patterns; it's about challenging current models by delivering high added value and promoting constant transformation processes. Our purpose is to create valuable experiences for our customers, and to achieve that, we strictly follow our expansion plan, provide personalized services to individuals and businesses, invest in new technologies, digitalization, automation, and agile methodologies, and practice active listening while embracing diversity," she adds. "We are getting closer to our customers and major market players. We are continuously evolving, simplifying, and speeding up international operations for companies and individuals," she continues.

The CEO of the Group also emphasizes that the results meet expectations due to well-designed business strategies that focus on the future while caring for people.

"The Group in Brazil has gained market share and international recognition, thanks in part to our participation in congresses, symposiums, and major international events such as CrossTech, which bring the main market trends and enable valuable networking among participants, vital for staying updated. We are strategic while remembering that people are the drivers of all transformations and the true architects of the excellent results achieved over the past years," she concludes.

Travelex Bank is among the leading financial institutions in the Brazilian foreign exchange market. It is one of the banks invited by B3 to collaborate on determining the daily average exchange rate practiced in the market. Travelex Confidence remains the largest brokerage company in terms of coverage in the country, maintaining a strong presence in major cities across Brazil and expanding its network of foreign exchange correspondents, which already exceeds 430. In addition to call centers, mobile apps, and internet banking, their omnichannel approach allows customers to be served through the online store, exclusive app, telephone or WhatsApp-based operations desks, and over 120 physical service points nationwide. Both business units are certified with the ABRACAM seal, which demonstrates our commitment to the best governance and compliance practices in the market, and have achieved operational excellence for three consecutive years.

The company has over 950 direct employees, including both the bank and the brokerage, and started 2023 by renewing its Great Place to Work (GPTW) certification. The professional development of the group's employees has contributed to a positive impact across all layers of the organization. In addition to implementing a Mentoring and Career Dialogue Program with HR, open to all employees, a new remote corporate education model, the TVX Academy, has been developed.

INDUSTRY LEADER

Initiatives such as TECHDay, a day filled with experiences for employees aimed at promoting a unique connection between young talents and the technology world of our company, have also been introduced.

In the Travelex Confidence Group, employees not only have access to well-being and mental health policies but are also encouraged to participate in "knowledge pills" that offer personal and professional learning opportunities for everyone. The dTVX – Composable Transformation program is one of the pillars of the company, aiming at digital transformation based on agile tools that drive forward-thinking in teams. Team integration is also extremely important and valued within the company. To foster this, the TVX PUB takes place monthly, aiming to celebrate and recognize achievements in a relaxed and interactive environment among colleagues.

The company values diversity, gender equality, and meritocracy. An example of this is the increased presence of women in the company. Currently, 14% of the Group's employees hold leadership positions, with 52% of them being women in commanding roles, which is atypical when considering companies in the financial market. But the numbers go beyond that: throughout the Group, 59% of the employees identify themselves as female, which is an even more important factor for the development of professionals and the company.

Ana Tena holds a degree in Business Administration from Getúlio Vargas College and a degree in Law from the University of São Paulo. She is certified by IBGC and has completed specializations at Wharton, Columbia, Stanford, and Insead. She has been recognized as an "Outstanding Financial Executive" by the Brazilian Institute of Finance Executives (IBEF) and considered one of the 100 most influential people in the Latin American financial sector according to Bloomberg Línea.

Ana Tena CEO Travelex Group Brazil

Isabel H. Cortes

Jennifer Holguín

Priscilla D'Oliveira Friedman Hugo Cuevas-Mohr

The Leader In Real-time

Expand opportunities in Brazil with Nium as your real-time, cross-border payments partner.

With Nium you can:

Payout in more than 100 currencies to over 190 countries, 100 in real-time.

Collect funds in local payments, holding in a virtual wallet, and payout in local currencies in 35 countries.

Receive funds in 33 markets, including Southeast Asia, the U.K., Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, India, and the U.S.

Access physical and virtual card issuance the U.K., Australia, and Singapore.

AGENDA DAY 1 //

AGENDA DAY 2 //

10:00

10:45

-

Regional Trends Cross-border Payments in Latin America & The Caribbean

Compliance Officers Discussion Forum: Regulatory Compliance in Cross-Border Payments: Facilitating the Secure Flow of Funds

Coffee Break - Networking Meetings

Regional Trends Cross-border Payments in Africa & The Middle East 12:00 - 12:45

Compliance Officers Discussion Forum: Insights for Compliance Officers Exploring the Impact of FedNow on Cross - Border Payments

12:45

13:30

Investment Insights: Navigating the Cross-Border Landscape

Compliance Officers Discussion Forum: Optimizing Compliance: Best Practices and Strategies for Partner Due Diligence in Cross-Border Payments.

13:30

-

-

15:30 Lunch

Partnerships Track 1: Roundtable Pioneering Cross-Border Payments: Fintechs Leading the Way through Strategic Alliances

Banking Track 1: Roundtable Global Banking Solutions: Exploring the Ideal Bank for International Expansion

Coffee Break - Networking Meetings

The Rise of Digital Assets: Cryptocurrencies and Blockchains in Cross-Border Payments

Portuguese Track 1: Roundtable Diving Growth: Brazil’s Gateway to B2B Success

AGENDA DAY 3 // Nov 16, 2023

Remarks

The Evolution of B2B Payments: The Future of Cross-border Payments 11:00 - 11:45

From Local to Global: Harnessing the Power of White Label & Payment Facilitators

Coffee Break - Networking Meetings

Enabling Global Commerce: Insights on Payment Gateways and Currency Conversion in Cross-Border Transactions

11:45 -

The International Fintech Wave: Spotlight on Latin America

Women in the Cross-Border Payments Industry: Driving Change in Fintechs and B2Bs

13:15 -

10:00 - 11:00 13:30- 14:45

Announcements New Services & Partnerships

Lunch Break

14:45 - 15:30 16:30 -

Emerging Trends in Global Payments: A Cross-Border Dialogue

16:30

Coffee Break - Networking Meetings sponsored by

The Rise of Mobile Wallets: Disrupting the Money Transfer Landscape

Banking Track II Navigating the Global Landscape: Challenges and Transformations in the Financial Services Industry

18:00 - 20:00

Closing Networking Party sponsored by

Event/Meal

In this edition, we present a compilation of technological devices aimed at making your life easier with a touch of fun, emotion, and above all, a practical way of doing things and gettting the best experience you deserve Enjoy!

CREDIT CARD SIZED EKG MONITOR

The credit card-sized EKG monitor is a miracle of modern medicine that can keep your heart healthy and in the palm of your hand.

Simply place your thumbs on the sensors, and you’re ready to keep an eye on your heartbeat. It’s similar to carrying a personal cardiologist around with you.

$99.00

Vision Pro is Apple’s first 3D camera. You can capture magical spatial photos and spatial videos in 3D, then relive those cherished moments like never before with immersive Spatial Audio. Your existing library of photos and videos looks incredible at remarkable scale. And panoramas wrap around you — making you feel like you’re standing right where you took them.

$3,499.00

INSTA360 LINK

No matter if you’re a streamer or just a teacher the Insta360 Link webcam will up your video quality.

The Insta360 Link brings 4k quality, automatic face tracking, and plenty of other handy features to your webcam setup.

$299.99

Apple Vision Pro

Congratulations to our winners

Deliver an effective KYC system with proven results of staying compliant. ThetaRay AI technology is enabling the growing number of payment service providers to facilitate low-cost cross-border payments and remittances, helping to bring billions of people better access to the world economy.

This award is for the company that has the most complete service solution in the market- in terms of market geography, size, and efficiency.

Software as a service solution that engages partnership as its core business and delivers custom packages to adapt to its partner’s needs. MFS Africa is the largest digital payment gateway in Africa. With a wealth of experience in cross-border/platform payments, MFS Africa empowers the global and African diaspora to send/receive funds to any digital store of value in Africa: mobile money wallets, pre-paid cards, and bank accounts.

This awards a company that demonstrates the most adaptability to the market and transformed itself to its customer needs along with the digitalization timeframe. The SMILE offering is an exclusive multi-service solution aimed at supporting migrants’ digital financial inclusion and financial resilience and, in turn, that of their relatives abroad. This new product suite takes advantage of the hybrid Moneytrans distribution model combining the best of both in-person and online distribution

Awards a new cutting-edge technology that is unknown in the market. A true innovator. RemitONE has pioneered a game-changing approach to money transfer systems that have inspired many other companies in the industry to follow our lead. Our comprehensive solution addresses the many challenges faced by businesses in the industry, and our platform offers unmatched levels of customizability and flexibility.

Our venture’s competitive advantage is the location in the hard-to-reach communities by banks. Moreover, the initiative is owned and managed by the affected people (Refugees), therefore, it is more sustainable and consistent in some communities.

COMPRE AHORA!

ENVIANDO DINERO

CAMBIO, REMESAS, MIGRACIÓN Y LA REVOLUCIÓN FINTECH

La Evolución de la Industria de Servicios Financieros Internacionales.

Esta obra compendia los conocimientos y experiencias de Hugo Cuevas-Mohr - Especialista en Transferencias de Dineroen torno a la provision de servicios financieros internacionales y las tendencias tecnologicas que permitieron su fortalecimiento y evolución.

En sus paginas se cuenta, con decenas de testimonios de los emprendedores que hicieron posible esta industria, la crónica de visionarios que han hecho posible le envio de dinero de migrantes a sus familias y su contribución a la actual revolución fintech.

We are thankful to all our staff and the supporting team of collaborators who help us develop our conferences in each of the cities and regions we select to host them. Without their help, it would be impossible for us to give all the participants in our in-person and virtual events the unique experience we strive to give everyone attending.

David Lederman Marketing Director

Marcela Perez Sales Director

Maria A. Garcia Sales & Community Manager

Marcela Perez Sales Director

Virginia Martínez Technology & Online Events Admin

Marcela Molina Creative Manager

Ana González Content Director

Diana Jofre Executive Assistant & HR Coordinator

Juan Posada Director of Business Intelligence

Jennifer Holguin Lead Consultant

Isabel Cortes UK Consultant

Lourdes Soto Spain SpainTech CCO