Brazilian Fintech Tanssi Launches Blockchain-Powered Microloan Program for São Paulo Farmers. Source: Marcos Corrêa/PR, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Brazilian fintech firm Tanssi is launching a government-backed blockchain project that aims to provide microloans to small-scale farmers in São Paulo. Following the successful pilot of a local digital currency in Santo Antônio da Alegria, the new program will officially roll out next month, offering loans of up to R$15,000 (about $2,800) to rural producers.
Speaking to CoinDesk during the Blockchain Conference Brasil, Tanssi’s Director of Business Development, Luis Dal Porto, revealed that the mobile app for the microlending service is already live, enabling users to access credit seamlessly. The initiative is backed by the São Paulo city government and operates on a blockchain infrastructure powered by Tanssi’s technology, which allows developers to build dedicated “appchains” for specific applications.
While blockchain forms the backbone of the system, it remains invisible to users. “In practice, the blockchain isn’t even seen. It’s a mobile app for producers, complemented by physical payment machines,” Dal Porto explained. This closed-loop ecosystem ensures greater control over how credit is used and reduces default risks.
Tanssi opted for a private blockchain network over public options like Ethereum or Solana, citing the need for predictable fees, faster transactions, and reliability—key requirements when dealing with public funds. Public blockchains, Dal Porto noted, often face congestion and fee volatility, making them less suitable for financial programs that demand cost stability.
The initiative builds on the Santo Antônio da Alegria token project, which uses blockchain to distribute municipal aid through programmable tokens that limit spending to approved goods and services. Although Brazil’s central bank has delayed its Drex digital currency, projects like Tanssi’s highlight how local blockchain solutions are advancing financial inclusion and digital innovation at the municipal level.