Payments in National Currencies Surge to 92% Among SCO Members

Payments in national currencies among Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) members have reportedly increased from 40% in 2022 to 92%, signaling a move away from reliance on the U.S. dollar. Similar to the BRICS economic bloc, the SCO, which includes Russia, China, India, and recently added Iran, is encouraging the use of local currencies to strengthen … Read more

Former Russian PM: BRICS Not Ready for Common Currency

Sergey Stepashin, Russia’s former prime minister, explained that it’s premature to discuss a common BRICS currency, emphasizing the importance of increasing payments in national currencies instead. He cited challenges in creating a common currency, particularly between large economies like India and China. While some BRICS members support a single currency, Stepashin advocates for enhancing financial … Read more

China and Russia Push for Increased Local Currency Use in Trade, Deepen BRICS Cooperation

China and Russia solidified their cooperation in currency, finance, and within the BRICS framework following a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. They committed to local currency use, payment infrastructure, and mutual investments, while also advancing collaboration in artificial intelligence, sustainable development, and global governance. China and Russia Strengthen … Read more

BRICS Countries Deem US Dollar Less Important in Global Trade, Says Indian Expert

The vice chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sameep Shastri, has highlighted the economic bloc’s shift away from reliance on the U.S. dollar, opting instead to trade using their national currencies like the Russian ruble, Indian rupee, and Chinese yuan. He underscored the importance of economic self-reliance and the challenge to Western … Read more

De-Dollarization Faltering in Africa Because Citizens Lack Confidence in Their National Currencies

Despite clearly articulating reasons for de-dollarization in the Global South, African leaders will struggle to convince residents to embrace national currencies without changing economic management practices. People often lose confidence in a currency when a central bank excessively prints money to pay debts and other obligations. De-Dollarization Hype Not Backed by Practical Action Sometime in … Read more

BRICS Advances Toward Independent Digital Payment Platform, Russian Official Says

The BRICS economic bloc is progressing towards a digital payment platform, Russia’s Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko has revealed. The initiative, named BRICS Bridge, aims to establish an independent financial system. This system could mitigate dependency on Western institutions, especially amid sanctions and Russia’s SWIFT disconnection. BRICS Moves Forward With Digital Payment Platform Initiative The … Read more

Iran Backs Russia on BRICS Single Currency Initiative

Iran plans to support Russia’s initiatives on creating a BRICS single currency and expanding national currency payments within the bloc, according to Iran’s Ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali. The BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are exploring the creation of a new currency to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar and mitigate … Read more

Russian Diplomat: El Salvador Proposes Settling Trade With Crypto

El Salvador has proposed using cryptocurrency as an alternative payment method for trade with Russia. The Central American nation has reportedly expressed interest in joining the BRICS bloc and may formally apply for membership within one or two years. Ukraine-Russia Conflict Echoes in Central America El Salvador has proposed settling trade with Russia using cryptocurrency, … Read more

Ethiopia’s Birr Falls 30% After Currency Float; Forex Surrender Requirements Scrapped

Ethiopia’s birr plunged 30% against the dollar after the central bank floated the currency as part of reforms aimed at correcting foreign exchange market distortions. The bank also eliminated foreign exchange surrender requirements and lifted restrictions on certain imports. In return, Ethiopia, which is seeking BRICS membership, is expected to receive a $10.7 billion loan … Read more

Russian State Duma Deputy Chairman: BRICS SWIFT Counterpart Needed for Creating a New Economic Reality

Alexander Babakov, Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma, highlighted the need to create a BRICS equivalent to the SWIFT messaging system, which routes payments alongside the current banking infrastructure. Babakov emphasized that this new system would help to reduce the dependence on Western institutions and simplify settlements outside the dollar-dominated system. BRICS SWIFT Equivalent … Read more