Hereโs the latest on BRICS pushing for digital currency integration โ a key development in global finance and potential de-dollarization efforts:
Reuters
Bitget
India's central bank proposes linking BRICS' digital currencies, sources say
BRICS CBDC Proposal: Indiaโs Central Bank Unveils Ambitious Plan to Revolutionize Global Payments
Today
Today
๐ช 1. Indiaโs RBI Proposes Linking BRICS CBDCs
Indiaโs central bank (RBI) has formally proposed linking the central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) of the core BRICS members โ Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa โ as an agenda item for the 2026 BRICS summit. The idea is to create interoperable digital currency systems across the bloc to make cross-border trade and tourism payments easier and reduce reliance on the US dollar for international transactions. ๏ฟฝ
The Economic Times +1
If adopted, this would be the first formal attempt at operationally linking BRICS CBDCs. ๏ฟฝ
The Economic Times
All five core members currently run CBDC pilot projects, but none have fully launched yet. ๏ฟฝ
The Economic Times
Challenges include agreeing on interoperable technology standards, governance, and trade-imbalance settlement mechanisms. ๏ฟฝ
The Economic Times
๐ฑ 2. Shift Toward Alternative Payment Systems
BRICS is increasingly focusing on non-dollar payment infrastructures rather than a single shared currency:
In 2025, BRICS leaders emphasized payment system interoperability over a common currency, recognizing technical and political hurdles to creating a single BRICS money. ๏ฟฝ
GIS Reports
Initiatives like BRICS Pay aim to integrate national payment platforms and allow direct local-currency transactions across member states. ๏ฟฝ
brics bridge
๐ 3. Broader De-Dollarization Strategy
These digital currency moves form part of a larger strategy to weaken dependence on the U.S. dollar in global trade:
Some reports highlight exploration of blockchain-based payment infrastructures and even discussions around commodity-linked digital โunitsโ that could act as settlement assets for BRICS trade. ๏ฟฝ
Newcastillian News
Such systems leverage national CBDCs (e.g., Indiaโs e-rupee, Chinaโs digital yuan) as interoperable rails for cross-border payments. ๏ฟฝ
The Economic Times
๐ 4. Context โ Chinaโs Digital RMB and mBridge
While not strictly within BRICS, related projects show the broader momentum:
Platforms like mBridge โ involving the digital yuan and other Asian/Central bank digital currencies โ have processed tens of billions in cross-border transactions, highlighting how multi-CBDC networks can work in practice. ๏ฟฝ
Reuters
๐งญ What This Means
๐ Trade & Finance Efficiency: Linking CBDCs could lower costs and settlement times for BRICS trade, especially for smaller transactions that traditionally require U.S. dollar clearing.
๐ก Geopolitical Impact: Such moves are often framed as strengthening economic sovereignty and building financial infrastructure independent of Western systems โ a recurring theme in BRICS strategy. ๏ฟฝ
ebc.com
โ ๏ธ Challenges Remain: Interoperability, regulatory alignment, and geopolitical resistance (e.g., from U.S. policymakers wary of de-dollarization) are significant hurdles. ๏ฟฝ
The Economic Times
If you want, I can also break down how this could affect Pakistan or local currencies more broadly โ just let me know!
$BRIC
#BRICS #CBDC #DigitalCurrency #BlockchainTechnology #InternationalTrade