reais

The Brazilian real (plural: reais) is the official currency of Brazil. The currency code is BRL and the symbol is R$. One real is subdivided into 100 centavos. The Banco Central do Brasil (Central Bank of Brazil) issues the currency, which is used in all domestic transactions.

Introduced in 1994 as part of the Plano Real to stabilize the Brazilian economy after a period of high inflation, the real replaced the cruzeiro real at par. The name real derives from the historical Portuguese currency and means royal or genuine; it has remained the currency of Brazil since then.

Coins and banknotes: Brazilian coins include denominations used for centavos and one real coins. Banknotes are issued in several denominations, commonly 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 reais, with additional security features to prevent counterfeiting. The currency has evolved with new series to improve durability and anti-counterfeiting.

Monetary policy and use: The Central Bank of Brazil manages monetary policy and currency issuance. Brazil operates a floating exchange rate regime, with occasional interventions to address volatility. The real is widely used in commerce within Brazil and is accepted for most transactions. In recent years, digital payments and card use have grown, reducing reliance on cash while cash remains common in many retail settings.