Brazil's Finance Minister Fernando Haddad has clarified the objectives of the country's central bank digital currency (CBDC), Drex, emphasizing its role in enhancing transparency and facilitating financial transactions. Haddad refuted claims that the government intends to use Drex to monitor or control users, stating that the tokenized ecosystem is designed to lower transaction costs and improve efficiency for the population. Addressing concerns from lawmakers like Julia Zanatta about the potential drawbacks of replacing physical money with digital currency, Haddad highlighted Drex's potential to provide visibility into financial flows, such as tax benefits. He also criticized the high costs imposed by intermediaries in Brazil's financial system. The Drex project is currently in a pilot phase, with full implementation targeted for 2030.