The Cruzeiro (Portuguese pronunciation: [kɾuˈzejɾu]) was the currency of Brazil from 1942 to 1986 (two distinct currencies) and again between 1990 and 1993. The name refers to the constellation of the Southern Cross, known in Brazil as Cruzeiro do Sul, or simply Cruzeiro. Visible just in South Hemisphere, the Southern Cross is the main astronomical reference to identify the South and is a common cultural icon in Brazilian history.

The first cruzeiro circulated between 1942 and 1967 and had the symbol Cr or ₢ (in Unicode U+20A2 ₢ cruzeiro sign (HTML: ₢)) and the ISO 4217 code BRZ. The ₢ sign was the only proper monetary symbol already created to Brazilian currencies. All the other used combinations of uppercase letters and the Dollar sign, including the current Brazilian Real, which uses R$ as sign.

Due to economical crisis and severe inflation, a second cruzeiro was released in 1967 and circulated up to 1986. Firstly it had the symbol NCr and was named 'Cruzeiro novo' (New Cruzeiro in Portuguese), circulating until 1970. Then, was renamed to Cruzeiro again and its sign changed to Cr$ (1970–1986), with the ISO 4217 code BRB. Although the name was restored, the ₢ sign was droped due to the lack of practical support (rare typewritters did offer it, which was also difficult to find in metal types).