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BRICS Discussing Single Unit of Account, Alternative to Dollar, Russian Finance Minister Says
24.8.2023
The BRICS members are mulling over the possible launch of a common unit of account, Russia’s Minister of Finance Anton Siluanov unveiled. This would be an alternative to the U.S. dollar that can be used to denote the cost of some commodities, for example, but not a single currency like the euro...
Russian President Putin to BRICS Leaders: Irreversible Process of De-Dollarization Gaining Steam
24.8.2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the BRICS summit that “A balanced, irreversible process of de-dollarization of our economic ties is gaining steam.” The Russian leader stressed: “We oppose hegemonies of any kind and the exceptional status that some countries aspire to, as well as the...
Volatility in Chinese Yuan, Russian Ruble Makes De-Dollarization Harder, Market Analyst Says
21.8.2023
A market analyst says that the recent decline and volatility in the Chinese yuan, the Russian ruble, and to a lesser extent the Argentine peso, “will only add further challenges to the idea of de-dollarization.” He stressed that countries are “unable to agree on a clear path to de-dollarization...
Russian Ruble Plunges to 16-Month Low vs the US Dollar — Experts Cite Oil Price Cap
15.8.2023
The Russian currency’s exchange rate versus the U.S. dollar recently dropped below RUB100 per greenback — its lowest in 16 months. Economists attribute the ruble’s latest plunge to the effectiveness of a price cap imposed on Russian oil by Western countries. Russ Mould said...
Russia to Test Digital Ruble in 11 Cities, Moscow Subway
12.8.2023
Russia’s capital Moscow and 10 other cities will host pilot tests for the digital ruble, Bank of Russia Deputy Governor Olga Skorobogatova announced. Over a dozen Russian banks are going to take part in the trials with real transactions and users scheduled to commence in mid-August. Russia Prepares...
Russia Recognizes Digital Currencies of Other Nations
6.8.2023
The Russian government has legally recognized digital currencies issued by other nations, local crypto media reported. The respective legislative changes have been made alongside the adoption of a dedicated law regulating the introduction of Russia’s own digital ruble. Amendments Legalizing Foreign...
‘Nuances Exist’ Among BRICS Members Regarding Bloc’s Expansion, Kremlin Admits
4.8.2023
The enlargement of BRICS will be “near the top of the agenda” at the organization’s summit in August, the Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told media. While recognizing the importance of the topic, Peskov indicated that participants in the meeting will likely discuss some differences on the matter....
Russia to Launch Digital Ruble Transactions With Real Users in August
27.7.2023
Banks taking part in the digital ruble pilot will begin testing transactions with actual clients in mid-August, according to a top executive of one of the financial institutions. The trials are set to start weeks after Russia adopted dedicated legislation for the introduction of its new digital...
Deeper Ties With BRICS Should Not Jeopardize Relations With the West — South African Business Association Leader
26.7.2023
South Africa’s economic well-being is dependent on trade relations with the West, and therefore attempts to bolster relationships with BRICS must not be at the expense of ties to the West, the leader of a South African business association has said. The leader also singled out the African...
Putin Signs Digital Ruble Law Allowing CBDC Payments in Russia
26.7.2023
President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a bill on the introduction of the digital ruble in the Russian Federation. The new legislation, which legalizes and regulates the use of Bank of Russia’s digital currency for payments and other transactions, will enter into force on Aug. 1. President...
Russian Ruble Falls by Over 18% in 2023, Economist Says the Currency Has ‘Stabilized’
25.7.2023
After the Russian currency touched a year low versus the greenback of nearly 92 units for every dollar, economist Robin Brooks said the ruble has stabilized and may eventually be lifted by rising oil prices. The Institute of International Finance Economist urged G7 countries to consider cutting...
Next Year’s BRICS Summit to Gather More Than 5 Leaders, Russian Diplomat Predicts
24.7.2023
Moscow expects the number of leaders participating in the 2024 BRICS summit to be greater than five, according to a high-ranking Russian diplomat. The statement comes as the five-member organization prepares to discuss its enlargement at its meeting at the top this year, with dozens of nations...
Kids Won’t Be Able to Spend Mom’s Digital Ruble as They Wish, Russian Official Says
21.7.2023
The new form of Russia’s fiat, the digital ruble, will make spending more efficient for both government and family budgets, according to a high-ranking lawmaker. Anatoly Aksakov, who was involved in the recent adoption of the new digital ruble legislation, highlighted some of the advantages...
‘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...
Russian State Duma Passes Digital Ruble Law
13.7.2023
The State Duma, the lower house of the Russian Federal Assembly, discussed and passed the Digital Ruble law in its second and third discussion on July 11. The law will allow the Central Bank of Russia, as the sole regulator of the proposed digital currency, to organize a pilot test slated...
Western Sanctions on Russia Demolish Global Trade System, Cause Inflation Surge, Says Russian Banker
13.7.2023
Russia’s second-largest bank’s chairman says by imposing sanctions on Russia, the West has “demolished the global trade system and caused an inflation surge.” Pointing to the U.S. banking crisis as an example, he stressed: “This is virtually the largest financial and banking crisis since 2008,...
Russia’s Central Bank: BRICS Currency Requires Consent of Many Parties, Faces Implementation Challenges
12.7.2023
The governor of Russia’s central bank says the creation of a common BRICS currency “requires the consent of many parties.” While emphasizing that the proposed BRICS currency “deserves attention,” the Russian central bank chief cautioned that this project is challenging and “will...
Russians Turned to Tether During Wagner Revolt
27.6.2023
Russian citizens sought refuge in tether amid the brief mutiny of the Wagner mercenary group that shook their country. The ruble-denominated trading volume of the U.S. dollar-pegged stablecoin spiked during the short-lived rebellion, market data revealed. Russians Traded Millions of Dollars’...
Latam Insights — IMF States Latam’s CBDC Interest Rises, Lula Emphasizes Bretton Woods Institutions ‘No Longer Function’
26.6.2023
Welcome to Latam Insights, a compendium of Latin America’s most relevant crypto and economic news during the last week. In this issue, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reports interest in central bank digital currencies (CBDC) in Latam and the Caribbean is picking up, Lula criticizes...
Russian President Putin Discusses End of US Dollar Dominance — Claims Russia Has No De-Dollarization Plan
18.6.2023
Russian President Vladimir Putin has discussed the end of the U.S. dollar dominance, claiming that Russia has nothing to do with the USD’s downfall. “We have never had and do not have the goal of de-dollarization,” Putin also stressed, highlighting global trends that could lead to the end of...