Matthew Sigel, Head of Digital Assets Research at VanEck, shared insights from the recent BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, highlighting discussions about using cryptocurrencies in international trade. According to Sigel, Russian lawmakers are exploring selling Bitcoin mined in Russia to foreign buyers. These buyers could then use Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies to pay for imports, potentially bypassing Western sanctions imposed on Russia. This marks a significant shift as countries look for alternatives to traditional financial systems dominated by the U.S. dollar.
The BRICS Summit, which includes leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, has sparked conversations about the role of digital currencies in bolstering trade. In the view of Russian officials, cryptocurrencies are an opportunity to evade the U.S. unilateral financial isolation measures, which have deprived Russia of dollar-based financial systems since the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. This step is what Russian President Vladimir Putin sees as a reaction to Russia’s current economic challenges.
Also Read: Putin Announces New Digital Currency Initiative for BRICS Nations
Cryptocurrency Adoption as BRICS Expands
Aside from digital currency talks, the number of members of the BRICS coalition is increasing. Some of the recent members include Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. This expansion shows the increasing concern of BRICS countries regarding the affairs of the international economy. Economist Richard Wolff has observed that with the emergence of these new states, the us lost its earlier imperial dominance due to past military losses and a diminished role in the Middle East.
Amid all this, Bitcoin is being seen as a possible means of financing international transactions. Because it is a decentralized marketplace, it completes transactions across borders, thus providing users with a marketplace outside of banking networks. When some countries, such as Russia, suffer from economic sanctions, this approach allows them to stay in business without using the Western financial systems.
In conclusion, BRICS members are exploring the potential of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as part of a broader effort to diversify trade mechanisms and reduce dependency on the U.S. dollar.
Also Read: Russia to Launch Two Cryptocurrency Exchanges to Increase Foreign Economic Turnover
