Brazil Reminds Parties: No Crypto Donations for 2026 Vote

The warning comes ahead of Brazil's October 2026 elections. The first round is scheduled for Oct. 4. A second round for president or governor races, if needed, is scheduled for Oct. 25.

Brazil has also moved against election-related betting markets. In April, authorities restricted prediction market platforms from offering contracts tied to political, electoral, social, cultural, and sports events. The measure affected platforms such as Polymarket and Kalshi, which had offered markets linked to Brazilian political outcomes. Reuters reported that Brazil blocked 27 prediction market platforms and limited event contracts to areas such as economic indicators.

The crypto donation ban is separate from prediction market rules. Both actions show Brazil has set clearer limits where digital assets touch elections and regulated public markets.

In May, Brazil also blocked crypto use inside regulated cross-border payment rails, according to reports. That rule did not ban crypto transfers in the country. It kept virtual assets out of supervised eFX settlement.

Brazil remains one of Latin America's largest crypto markets. Regulators have continued to define where crypto can operate. Brazil recently introduced a new audit mandate for crypto exchanges seeking authorization.

Lawmakers advanced a bill that would ban algorithmic stablecoins and require domestic issuers to fully back their tokens. Brazil also paused a crypto tax consultation during an election year, a delay that showed officials may wait on some tax measures while still enforcing existing rules in payment and exchange areas. Campaign finance rules remain separate.

The MPF notice restates a rule that has applied since 2019. Campaign money must be identifiable, and crypto donations do not meet that standard under current election rules, the agency said. The first round of the 2026 elections is scheduled for Oct. 4.