Brazil slashed import duties on high-performance Bitcoin mining equipment to zero percent, offering a significant break to crypto miners looking to set up shop in the South American nation. The tax exemption, established through Resolução GECEX 861 published on February 20, 2026, specifically targets cutting-edge mining hardware that meets strict efficiency requirements.
Not just any mining rig will qualify, though. The government’s getting picky. Only equipment using the SHA256 algorithm—Bitcoin’s backbone—that can process over 200 terahashes per second while consuming less than 20 joules per terahash will make the cut. Testing must occur at exactly 35 degrees Celsius. Old, energy-hungry miners? Still taxed. Sorry.
Brazil isn’t playing favorites with outdated mining tech. Hit those efficiency benchmarks or keep paying those taxes.
This duty exemption runs through January 31, 2028, giving miners nearly two years to capitalize on the incentive. It’s a calculated move by Brazilian authorities to attract sophisticated mining operations while avoiding the energy concerns that have plagued the industry elsewhere.
But don’t pop the champagne just yet. The import duty is just one piece of Brazil’s notoriously complex tax puzzle. Miners will still face other federal levies including IPI, PIS/COFINS-Import, ICMS, and various administrative fees. The total landed cost remains substantial, even with this one component zeroed out.
The timing couldn’t be better for companies eyeing Brazil’s abundant renewable energy resources. This development coincides with Bitcoin’s market cap of $1.31 trillion, underscoring the growing economic significance of the mining sector. The country’s massive solar potential, particularly in remote areas where energy often goes unused, offers miners a compelling proposition: tax breaks plus clean, stranded power. This shift toward renewable-powered mining addresses the environmental impacts associated with traditional cryptocurrency operations. With an estimated 32 TWh curtailed between 2021 and 2025, Brazil has plenty of excess renewable energy looking for buyers.
For crypto enthusiasts, this signals growing mainstream acceptance in Latin America’s largest economy. For Brazilian officials, it’s likely more pragmatic—capturing tax revenue from other sources while positioning the country as tech-forward.
Mining companies are already doing the math. Zero import duty plus cheap renewable energy equals competitive advantage. Brazil just made itself considerably more attractive on the global mining map. Let the hash race begin.
