Introduction
ABIPAG, the Brazilian Association of Payment Institutions, is a non-profit industry association representing payment institutions and financial companies active in Brazil’s electronic payments market. Founded in 2016 and based in São Paulo, it works to strengthen competition, efficiency, security, transparency and innovation in Brazil’s payments ecosystem. The association brings together payment-sector companies that provide payment and financial solutions using new technologies.
What is ABIPAG and who does it represent
ABIPAG, formally Associação Brasileira de Instituições de Pagamentos, represents payment institutions and financial companies operating in Brazil’s electronic payments market. It was created after the opening of Brazil’s electronic payments industry and gives newer market participants a collective voice in regulatory and industry discussions.
The association is especially relevant to payment institutions, fintech payment companies, acquirers, issuers, processors, payment facilitators, digital account providers, wallets, marketplaces and technology-led financial services companies. ABIPAG is not a regulator, card scheme, payment infrastructure operator or licensing authority.
Mission and advocacy focus
ABIPAG’s mission is to support a more competitive, efficient, transparent, secure and innovative payments market in Brazil. It represents payment-sector companies in discussions with regulators, policymakers, public authorities and other industry bodies.
Its advocacy focuses on regulatory equality, market competition, user needs, innovation, financial inclusion and the development of payment business models enabled by technology. ABIPAG’s work is particularly relevant where Brazilian rules affect payment institutions, digital wallets, card acquiring, Pix, open finance, fraud prevention, account services, digital commerce and financial infrastructure.
Policy domains
- Payment institution regulation — Advocacy on rules affecting payment institutions, financial institutions and authorised payment-sector companies in Brazil.
- Competition and market access — Work to support fair competition, transparent rules and non-discriminatory access to payment infrastructure.
- Digital payments and innovation — Relevance for Pix, cards, digital wallets, payment facilitators, marketplaces, acquirers and emerging payment models.
- Security and fraud prevention — Engagement on payment security, fraud mitigation, account protection, operational risk and trust in digital financial services.
- Financial inclusion — Support for payment models that expand access to financial services for consumers, SMEs and underserved groups.
- Open finance and data-driven services — Relevance for financial data, account connectivity, customer-permissioned services and digital financial ecosystems.
- Operational efficiency and interoperability — Advocacy around efficient, reliable and interoperable payment services across the Brazilian market.
Geographic scope and cross-border reach
ABIPAG primarily focuses on Brazil and the Brazilian payments market. Its work is most relevant to companies operating in Brazil, entering the Brazilian market or partnering with Brazilian payment institutions, acquirers, fintechs and digital financial services providers.
The association has indirect international relevance because Brazil is one of the world’s most dynamic payment markets, with major developments in instant payments, digital wallets, acquiring, open finance and fintech regulation. ABIPAG does not provide licensing, passporting, regulatory approval or payment scheme access.
Why ABIPAG matters for payments operators
ABIPAG matters for PSPs, payment institutions, acquirers, processors, payment facilitators, digital wallets, marketplaces, fintechs and embedded finance providers operating in or targeting Brazil. Its advocacy can influence how Brazilian payment regulation develops and how regulators understand competition, innovation and operational challenges in the sector.
For payment operators, ABIPAG is especially relevant where regulation affects authorisation, Pix participation, card acquiring, settlement, fraud controls, open finance, interoperability, data protection, consumer protection, operational resilience and market access. Its work can help payment companies follow policy developments and participate in collective industry dialogue.
The teams most likely to follow ABIPAG include legal, compliance, regulatory affairs, risk, fraud, product, operations, partnerships, government affairs, public policy and senior leadership teams. ABIPAG does not license payment firms or supervise institutions, but it is an important representative voice for Brazil’s payment institutions and fintech payment sector.
Who runs ABIPAG and who are the members
ABIPAG operates as a non-profit association with leadership, members, policy activity, sector initiatives, events and institutional engagement. Its governance is connected to payment and financial companies that participate in Brazil’s electronic payments ecosystem.
The association represents payment institutions and financial companies that developed after the opening of Brazil’s electronic payments market. Its members include companies offering payment and financial solutions based on new technologies, with many authorised to operate by the Central Bank of Brazil.
Members and participant categories
ABIPAG membership should be understood around Brazil’s payment-institution and payment-technology market rather than as a general banking or card-network association.
| Category | Typical participants |
|---|---|
| Payment institutions | Licensed or authorised institutions providing payment services in Brazil |
| Acquirers and sub-acquirers | Companies enabling merchants to accept card, digital and electronic payments |
| Payment facilitators | Platforms and intermediaries supporting merchant onboarding, payment acceptance and transaction processing |
| Digital wallets and accounts | Companies offering digital accounts, wallets, stored-value services and payment tools |
| Marketplaces and platforms | Digital platforms using payment infrastructure to support merchants, sellers and users |
| Payment processors and infrastructure firms | Companies supporting transaction processing, settlement, risk management and payment operations |
| Fintech and financial technology firms | Technology-led companies offering payment, credit, account, data or embedded finance services |
| Risk, fraud and compliance providers | Firms supporting AML, KYC, fraud prevention, cybersecurity, data protection and compliance in payments |
Working groups and committees
ABIPAG’s activity includes policy engagement, member discussions, institutional dialogue, sector studies, events and participation in payments-industry forums. Its work may cover regulation, competition, Pix, card acquiring, payment security, fraud prevention, open finance, authorisation processes, operational efficiency and financial inclusion.
The association also participates in broader payment-sector coordination with other Brazilian industry bodies where common issues affect digital financial services, payment reliability and ecosystem security.
What does ABIPAG publish and who does it influence
Policy and regulatory engagement
ABIPAG engages with Brazilian regulators, policymakers and industry stakeholders on payments and financial technology issues. Its work is particularly relevant to discussions involving the Central Bank of Brazil, competition policy, payment institution regulation, innovation, user protection and the development of Brazil’s electronic payments market.
The association’s influence is strongest where payment institutions and newer financial-market entrants need a collective voice in regulatory and policy debates. Its activity can help shape market discussions around efficiency, competition, transparency, security and financial inclusion.
Research, studies and industry resources
ABIPAG publishes and supports sector research, guides, studies and public materials on Brazil’s payment market. Its materials can help payment companies understand the development of payment institutions, regulatory expectations, authorisation processes, market trends and operational challenges in Brazil.
For PSPs and payment operators, useful themes include payment-institution authorisation, Pix, acquiring, digital payments, fraud, regulatory change, financial inclusion, market competition and new payment business models.
Events and convenings
ABIPAG organises the ABIPAG Congress, a payments and financial-sector event focused on regulation, innovation, competition, security and the future of Brazil’s payments market. The event brings together public-sector representatives, private-sector leaders, specialists and companies active in financial services and payments.
The association also participates in industry discussions, technical forums, policy events and member activities connected to Brazil’s payment ecosystem.
How to join ABIPAG
ABIPAG membership is most relevant for payment institutions, fintech payment companies, financial technology firms and payment-sector participants operating in Brazil.
Who can join
Membership is most relevant for companies active in Brazil’s payment and financial technology market, including payment institutions, acquirers, payment facilitators, digital wallet providers, marketplaces, processors, fintechs and related financial services companies.
Companies should have a clear connection to Brazil’s payment ecosystem and an interest in regulatory dialogue, market development, competition, payment innovation and financial inclusion.
ABIPAG membership tiers and fees
ABIPAG does not publish a simple universal public membership fee table. Costs, eligibility, benefits and participation routes may vary by company type, business model and association category.
Companies should confirm current membership conditions directly with ABIPAG before budgeting for membership.
What members commit to
Members typically participate in industry discussions, regulatory engagement, events, technical forums, sector studies and collective initiatives connected to Brazil’s payments market. Participation may involve sharing expertise, supporting policy positions, attending events and contributing to market-development discussions.
Membership does not provide regulatory authorisation, Central Bank of Brazil approval, payment scheme participation, acquiring licence, Pix participation or formal market-entry approval.
FAQ
Is ABIPAG a regulator?
No. ABIPAG is not a regulator or supervisory authority. It does not issue licences, supervise payment firms or create binding regulation. ABIPAG is a non-profit industry association representing payment institutions and financial companies in Brazil’s electronic payments market.
Who can join ABIPAG?
ABIPAG membership is most relevant for payment institutions, fintech payment companies, acquirers, payment facilitators, digital wallet providers, marketplaces, processors and other financial technology companies active in Brazil’s payment ecosystem. Eligibility and participation routes should be confirmed directly with the association.
How much does ABIPAG membership cost?
ABIPAG does not publish a simple universal public membership fee table. Costs and participation conditions may vary by company type, business model and association category. Companies should confirm current membership pricing directly with ABIPAG before treating it as a budgeted option.
How many members does ABIPAG have?
ABIPAG has been publicly described as bringing together 35 associated companies offering payment and financial solutions based on new technologies. Its member base is focused on Brazil’s payment-institution and payment-technology market, with many companies authorised by the Central Bank of Brazil.
Why does ABIPAG matter for PSPs?
ABIPAG matters for PSPs because it represents payment institutions and technology-led payment companies in Brazil. Its work is relevant to regulation, Pix, acquiring, digital wallets, fraud prevention, open finance, competition, financial inclusion and operational requirements affecting payment operators in the Brazilian market.
Is ABIPAG the same as the Central Bank of Brazil?
No. ABIPAG and the Central Bank of Brazil are separate. The Central Bank regulates and supervises payment institutions and payment arrangements in Brazil. ABIPAG is an industry association that represents payment institutions and financial companies in policy and market discussions.
What does ABIPAG publish?
ABIPAG publishes and supports studies, guides, public materials and events related to Brazil’s payment market. Its resources cover topics such as payment institutions, regulatory authorisation, market development, innovation, competition, financial inclusion, Pix, fraud prevention and digital payment trends.
Does ABIPAG operate outside Brazil?
ABIPAG primarily focuses on Brazil. Its work may interest international PSPs, acquirers, fintechs and investors entering the Brazilian market, but the association’s core activity is domestic advocacy and sector development for Brazil’s payment institutions and digital payments ecosystem.
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