Reais Crisis. The value of the Brazilian reais (BRL or R$) was BRL 1.76 to USD 1.00 on Thursday January 24, 2008. It then plunged in value to BRL 2.37 to USD 1.00 on January 26, 2009. What was the percentage change in its value? What was the percentage change in its value? The percentage change in the Brazilian real's value is %. (Round to two decimal places. A negative value must be entered with a negative sign.)