I think their problems with the Brazilian Real is making them see cryptocurrencies in a different way, much like what happened (and is still happening) in Venezuela.
I agree. The Brazilian Real lost between 30% and 40% of its value in 2015 compared to the US Dollar.
Don't they in Brazil have to pay a VAT as well when they are buying bitcoins?
As far as I know, VAT-type tax is not applied to any bitcoins sales in Brazil. Prices have been around 4-8% above US prices during the first half of the month and equivalent to US prices over the second half.
I believe exchanges pay taxes only on top of the trading/deposit/withdraw fees they collect.
Buying someone who does not live in Brazil, do they still have to pay VAT or are free of charge?
No VAT.