Brazil’s crypto sector is consolidating as virtual-asset service providers face an Oct. 30 deadline to begin seeking Central Bank authorization. Industry estimates cited by Valor Investe indicate that only 20 to 25 of roughly 150 to 300 companies may apply, with about 10 ultimately obtaining authorization. Firms operating before the rules took effect in February that do not enter the process by the deadline must cease operations within 30 days. Capital requirements range from 10.8 million reais to 37.2 million reais, or about $7.2 million at the upper end, alongside governance, security, audit, reporting and anti-money-laundering obligations. Several platforms have closed, transferred retail customers or shifted their business models as the framework takes effect.