A wildly successful government-run payments system, Pix has become a key financial pillar underpinning former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro's election-denial movement, allowing his most ardent fans to crowdfund their alternative media outlets and far-right demonstrations culminating in the chaos of Jan. 8.
Military police stand in front of the National Congress building during an abortive protest announced by supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, in Brasilia, Brazil, on Jan. 11, 2023. With a Brazil flag draped around his neck and his feet propped up on a dark wooden table, Samuel Faria leaned back in the Brazilian Senate president's ceremonial chair which he had just commandeered and surveyed the chaos on the lawn outside.
But now, as authorities seek to identify the funders of the Brasilia riots, the same tool that helped to forge the insurgent movement will be used by investigators to take it down, around a dozen police and anti-money laundering officials told Reuters. Launched in November 2020 and run by Brazil's central bank, Pix is free of charge for individuals, allowing them to instantly transfer money to others via online banking apps.
Enzo Leonardo Suzin, a conservative YouTuber known as Enzuh, said most of his income still came from ads, but Pix contributions now represented up to 20% of revenue. Many of them had paused their lives and were using social media to solicit contributions from like-minded "patriots." Although Pix does not offer more traceability than previous systems, experts said the fact it is administered by the central bank removes a layer of bureaucracy, allowing investigators to sidestep dealing with private banks.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Former Brazil justice minister Anderson Torres arrested in riot investigation | CBC NewsBrazil's former justice minister Anderson Torres, who was in charge of public security in Brasilia during the invasion of government buildings a week ago, was arrested in Brasilia on Saturday.
Read more »
Top Brazil court greenlights probe of Bolsonaro for riotA Brazilian Supreme Court justice on Friday authorized adding former President Jair Bolsonaro in its investigation into who incited the Jan. 8 riot in the nation's capital, as part of a broader crackdown to hold responsible parties to account.
Read more »
Biden's counsel finds five more classified pages at president's Delaware homeWILMINGTON — U.S. President Joe Biden’s counsel said on Saturday that five additional pages with classified markings were discovered at the president’s…
Read more »
Thousands protest in Tunisia against president's ruleThousands of protesters angry at Tunisia’s economic crisis and the president’s increasingly authoritarian drift marched on Saturday through the capital, responding to a call from opposition parties to mark 12 years since Tunisian protesters unleashed Arab Spring uprisings around the region.
Read more »
Thousands protest in Tunisia against president's rule amid economic crisisThousands of protesters angry at Tunisia's economic crisis and the president's increasingly authoritarian drift marched on Saturday through the capital, responding to a call from opposition parties to mark 12 years since Tunisian protesters unleashed Arab Spring uprisings around the region.
Read more »
South Korean president travels to UAE, seeks arms salesSouth Korean conservative leader wants to double down on military links as tensions with neighboring Iran saw Tehran seize a South Korean oil tanker in 2021
Read more »