A decision to expand Pix functionality to other countries could have unforeseen consequences for Brazil, as a recently published report by the U.S. Trade Representative's Office (USTR) states that Pix puts alternative private payment systems at a disadvantage by offering zero fees and instant settlement, sidelining international giants like Mastercard and Visa. However, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has made the protection of Pix a flagship of his re-election campaign, stating that Pix belongs to Brazil and that no one will change it because of the services it provides to the Brazilian people. Internationalization of Pix could set a precedent for other countries to develop their own settlement systems without relying on existing international standards, undermining the hegemony of the U.S. dollar.#GateSquareAprilPostingChallenge