As the 2024 BRICS Summit commences in Kazan, Russia, discussions surrounding cryptocurrency have taken center stage. Lawmakers from Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa are exploring the potential for Russian miners to leverage Bitcoin in international trade, aiming to circumvent the stringent sanctions imposed by the United States.
Lawmakers Propose Bitcoin Sales By Russian Miners
Originally formed as “BRIC” in 2006 by Brazil, Russia, India, and China, the coalition expanded to include South Africa in 2010, becoming BRICS. This alliance seeks to unite influential developing nations to challenge the dominance of wealthier countries, particularly those in North America and Western Europe.
The current discussions around cryptocurrency represent a strategic move to address economic challenges and enhance financial independence from Western powers.
According to a report by Bloomberg, key lawmakers are advocating for Russian miners to sell their Bitcoin to international buyers. These transactions could enable buyers to use Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies to pay for imports, effectively bypassing Western sanctions that have severely impacted the Russian economy.
Per the report, by utilizing Bitcoin and other digital assets, these nations aim to create an alternative financial pathway that circumvents traditional systems reliant on the US dollar and conventional banking.
Richard Wolff, a US economist and professor emeritus at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, commented on the shifting dynamics, noting that the BRICS coalition is gaining momentum as US global influence wanes.
Wolff highlighted the failures of US military interventions in Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq, suggesting that this decline in power is reflected in the geopolitical landscape. The economist also emphasized that BRICS nations are not only gaining political influence but are also making headway economically.
Putin Advocates For Cryptocurrency Adoption
As previously reported by Bitcoinist, Russian President Vladimir Putin has also been vocal about the need for BRICS nations to adopt cryptocurrencies and digital currencies in their financial transactions.
The Russian President believes that this shift could significantly benefit the economic coalition and other developing nations. However, Putin stressed the importance of establishing comprehensive regulations to ensure a robust framework is in place before fully embracing crypto.
In addition to discussions on cryptocurrency, BRICS members have unveiled a new payment platform, BRICS Pay, designed to challenge the dominance of the SWIFT financial system.
This blockchain-based platform aims to facilitate cross-border transactions among BRICS nations, providing an alternative means of conducting financial operations while evading US sanctions.
This initiative marks a significant step toward revolutionizing financial transactions within the BRICS bloc, emphasizing the coalition’s commitment to fostering economic cooperation and reducing dependency on Western financial infrastructures.
At the time of writing, Bitcoin is trading at $65,845, down 2% over the past 24 hours and seven days.
Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com
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