The Central Bank (BC) has already begun implementing the initial Drex Digital currency project, which will serve as Brazil's official digital currency.
As soon as you make the payment, imagine buying a car and transferring ownership via cell phone, without having to queue at notary offices.
Or, invest in fixed income or shares on the weekend, without being restricted to brokerages' business hours.
These conveniences are about to become a reality with Real Digital, also known as Drex.
Drex is destined to become Brazil's main official cryptocurrency, an evolution of conventional physical notes, but used only in digital transactions.
Each unit of real will be equivalent to 1 Drex, maintaining the same rules and fundamentals to guarantee the stability of the currency.
Classified as a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC), Drex will be issued and held in custody by the Central Bank, maintaining the same exchange rate in relation to other currencies.
Its distribution to the public will be intermediated by banks, promising greater legal security and privacy when sharing personal data.
In 2023, BC changed the name from Real Digital to Drex.
According to the Central Bank, each letter in the title symbolizes a quality of the tool: “D” denotes digital, “R” represents real, “E” indicates electronic, and “X” symbolizes modernity and connectivity.
By launching Drex, the BC aims to reduce the costs of banking operations, such as issuing paper money.
Furthermore, increase financial inclusion, especially among consumers connected to the digital world.
The digitalization of the Brazilian economy is one of the BC's goals, preparing the country for Web 3.0.
Real Digital has the potential to improve the efficiency of the retail payments market, promote competition and financial inclusion, and integrate money and financial assets into a single infrastructure.
The digital wallet provided by financial institutions approved by the Central Bank will enable access to Brazil's national cryptocurrency.
While financial institutions will directly access Drex with the BC, end users will have access to versions intermediated by banks, called “tokenized Real”.
It is anticipated that Drex will pave the way for several new features, such as car ownership transfer via cell phone.
In addition, investment operations and redemption of financial products available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, acquisition of small fractions of real estate properties through tokens, and other possibilities.
Although both allow instant transactions, Pix and Drex have significant differences.
While Pix is an already established payment method, Drex will be a broader platform, developed on blockchain, promoting future innovations and allowing transactions beyond conventional ones.
Furthermore, using Drex may incur costs for the end user, unlike Pix, which in most cases is free.
Although there is still no official date for the launch of Real Digital, it is estimated that it will be available to Brazilians in mid-2024, after the testing stages are completed.
The project is currently in its testing phase, with the collaboration of several financial institutions.
Drex Digital Currency extends ease of access financial services for a broad population, including those who have traditionally been excluded from the banking system.
With just one smartphone and internet connection, individuals can carry out financial transactions, make payments and manage their resources with more autonomy and fewer barriers.
For those interested in diversifying their portfolio, the Drex Digital Currency offers a digital asset option with appreciation potential.
It allows enter the crypto market with ease, thus offering a new investment class for consideration.
Using the latest technology cryptography and blockchain, Drex Digital Currency ensures an additional layer of security for users.
Transactions are recorded in a decentralized ledger, almost impossible to be altered or hacked, reinforcing the reliability of this digital asset.
In short, Drex Digital Currency not only simplifies financial transactions and investments, but also offers a renewed vision of how currency and payments can work in the digital space.
Whether through financial inclusion or transactional advantages, Drex represents a tangible innovation in today's global financial fabric.
In summary, the drex represents a new era in Brazilian financial transactions, promoting innovation, financial inclusion and efficiency, preparing the country for advances in the digital economy.
With its features, advantages and pix differences, Real Digital has the potential to transform the way we deal with money on a daily basis.
Although it seems futuristic, these features will soon be available to millions of Brazilians.