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Iran Increases Efforts to Join BRICS, Strengthen Ties With Member Countries
1.8.2023
Iran has ramped up its efforts to become a member of the BRICS group ahead of the economic bloc’s summit. The Iranian deputy foreign minister for economic diplomacy revealed that Iran is actively pursuing opportunities to strengthen its economic ties with BRICS members, noting that it...
South Africa’s Foreign Minister Hints at Expansion of BRICS Bloc With 3 New Members
27.7.2023
In a recent interview published on July 26, South Africa’s foreign minister Naledi Pandor highlighted the BRICS group of economies’ commitment to peace, asserting that these nations do not aim to “weaponize the oceans.” Moreover, leading up to the much-anticipated 15th BRICS...
Economist Analyzes Challenges of BRICS Currency Competing With US Dollar
26.7.2023
An economist has shared her analysis of how a common BRICS currency could compete with the U.S. dollar. “You need foreign exchange reserves and you need the trust of the investment community,” she explained, noting that the only country in the BRICS economic bloc to carry such a reserve...
Nigerian Currency Plunges to All-Time Low Versus Dollar, Central Bank Revokes Licenses of 2,700 Currency Exchanges
22.7.2023
The exchange rate of the Nigerian currency versus the greenback recently plunged to an all-time low of NGN860:USD1. The naira’s depreciation has been attributed to shortages of foreign exchange on the official market and the rising demand for forex. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) said...
‘Historic’ BRICS Summit to Be Held Without Putin in Person
20.7.2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin will not travel to Johannesburg for the BRICS summit in August, according to the office of his South African counterpart. Moscow will send Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov instead, the Kremlin confirmed, emphasizing that Putin will join the event via video link. Putin...
US Dollar Shortages: Ethiopia and Nigeria in $100 Million Currency Swap Transaction
17.7.2023
According to a report, the central banks of Ethiopia and Nigeria recently consummated a $100 million currency swap transaction. Under the arrangement, an Ethiopian airliner was paid local currency equivalent to $100 million while Dangote Cement is said to have received a similar amount of nairas....
Russia, 10 Southeast Asian Nations Discuss Using National Currencies in Trade Settlements
15.7.2023
Russia is discussing using national currencies in trade settlements with 10 Southeast Asian countries, members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has revealed. The move comes as more and more countries worldwide are seeking to de-dollarize....
Iran Looking to Replace Dollar With Dinar in $10 Billion Trade With Iraq
10.7.2023
Iran’s government considers employing the Iraqi dinar in bilateral trade with Iraq in a bid to further curtail the dominance of the U.S. dollar. The annual turnover between the two neighboring nations exceeds $10 billion with millions of pilgrims and health tourists crossing the border each year....
Report: Zimbabwe Central Bank Begins Gold-Backed Digital Currency ‘Dry Run’
8.7.2023
According to a report, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has commenced trials, or the “dry run” test, for the viability of launching a gold-backed digital currency. Nelson Mupunga, the director of economic research at the central bank, reportedly said the digital currency will act as...
Ethiopia Joins Egypt in Seeking BRICS Membership
3.7.2023
Ethiopia has joined Egypt and Algeria in applying to become a member of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) economic bloc. According to the Ethiopian Foreign Affairs Ministry, joining the bloc would help the country guarantee its national interests. Safeguarding Ethiopian National...
London: The World’s Capital for Foreign Exchange Adds Cryptocurrencies to Its Ledger
27.6.2023
Already a global hub for finance, the No. 3 spot in CoinDesk’s Crypto Hubs 2023 has a healthy grassroots crypto adoption rate and a prime minister eager to attract the digital asset industry
IMF Boss: Supporting Egyptian Currency Akin to ‘Putting Water in a Bucket That Has Holes’
27.6.2023
Kristalina Georgieva, the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s managing director, has said Egypt needs to plug leakages of foreign reserves if it wishes to successfully support its currency. According to the IMF leader, Egyptian authorities must also do more to support the vulnerable and...
Tanzanian Central Bank Says Quoting Prices in Foreign Currency Against the Law
24.6.2023
The Bank of Tanzania (BOT) has reiterated that shillings remain the East African country’s sole legal tender. The apex bank said residents quoting prices in foreign currency or those refusing payment in Tanzanian shillings are in violation of the Bank of Tanzania Act 2006. The central bank...
German intelligence service launches dog-themed NFTs to fetch cyber talent
22.6.2023
Nearly 1,000 NFTs have been put on Ethereum by Germany’s BND in its quest to recruit blockchain talent for the agency
Bangladesh Eyes BRICS Invite as Rumors Swirl of Formal Request
20.6.2023
In mid-May, several reports indicated that Bangladesh and India were engaging in currency trading using their respective currencies in order to address U.S. dollar liquidity challenges. Recent sources now reveal that Bangladesh is welcoming a formal invitation to join the BRICS bloc. Speaking...
China and Malaysia to Research AI for Blockchain Applications in Trade
19.6.2023
Blockchain developers from Malaysia will be working with Chinese colleagues to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) in foreign trade. The collaboration, which is part of a China-led international research program, aims to speed up cross-border transactions. Malaysia and China to Conduct AI Research...
Nigerian Currency Falls by More Than 30% After Central Bank Announced New Forex Market Rules
18.6.2023
The Nigerian currency’s official exchange rate versus the greenback recently plunged to NGN634 per dollar from just under NGN470 per dollar. The central bank’s decision to allow the naira to “float” came a few weeks after Nigerian president Bola Ahmed Tinubu pledged to end...
Russia to Trial Digital Asset Settlements in Foreign Trade
17.6.2023
Bank of Russia plans to pilot cross-border payments using digital assets and central bank digital currencies, according to a deputy governor. The top executive believes these alternative instruments could increase efficiency in foreign trade while such settlements will not be permitted inside...
Egypt Applies for BRICS Membership, Seeks Trade in National Currencies
16.6.2023
Egypt has filed an application to join the BRICS bloc, Russia’s ambassador to the Arab nation confirmed. The government in Cairo is interested in using alternative currencies in foreign trade, either national fiats or a new common currency, the diplomat unveiled. Egypt Takes Step to Join BRICS...
‘De-Dollarization Emerging’ but Greenback Will Retain Its Dominance — JP Morgan Strategists
8.6.2023
Two JP Morgan strategists have said the U.S. dollar will retain its dominant position even as it is being challenged by alternative currencies such as the Chinese yuan. According to a report, the yuan currently accounts for just 7% of global foreign exchange trade volumes while the greenback...