BRICS Currency: What It Means, When It Might Happen, and Why It Matters

 Date: April 07, 2025

By: TheMors Journalists

The idea of a unified BRICS currency has been floating around for years, stirring up curiosity and debate among economists, business owners, and everyday people alike. With countries like Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (and now new members like Iran and the UAE) teaming up, the push for a "единая валюта стран БРИКС" (unified BRICS currency) is gaining traction. But what exactly would it look like? When might it launch? And should we really expect a "золотая цифра" (golden number) moment that changes global finance? This article, prepared by the journalists at TheMors, digs into these questions with clear answers, real examples, and practical insights for anyone interested in where the world’s money is headed.

What Is the BRICS Currency All About?

The BRICS currency concept is simple on the surface: create a shared payment system or coin that reduces reliance on the US dollar for trade between member countries. These nations—home to over 40% of the world’s population and a growing chunk of global GDP—want more control over their finances. Right now, most international trade runs through the dollar, which gives the US a big say in global markets. For BRICS countries, especially Russia and China, that’s a problem when sanctions or trade disputes pop up.

Think of it like this: if a café in Dortmund only took dollars, locals would be stuck exchanging euros every time they wanted coffee. A BRICS currency aims to cut out that middle step, letting member states trade directly in something they all agree on. It’s not about replacing national currencies like the ruble or yuan—it’s about making deals smoother and cheaper. Reports from sources like Gazprombank Investments suggest it could also fund projects like roads or factories without jumping through dollar-based hoops.

But here’s the catch: BRICS isn’t a tight-knit group like the European Union. These countries have different economies, goals, and even trust levels. So, pulling off a "единая валюта стран БРИКС" isn’t as easy as it sounds.

When Will the New BRICS Currency Appear?

One of the hottest questions out there is, "когда появится новая валюта БРИКС?" (When will the new BRICS currency appear?) The short answer: don’t hold your breath for a launch party tomorrow. Experts interviewed by PortNews and TASS say it’s a long road ahead, likely years, not months. Why? Because creating a currency takes more than a handshake at a summit.

Take the euro as a benchmark. It took Europe about 40 years from the first talks to actual coins in pockets—and that was with countries that shared borders and similar systems. BRICS kicked off serious discussions around 2018, with Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Brazil’s Lula da Silva pushing the idea hard. Since then, they’ve made moves—like the BRICS Pay system, expected to fully roll out in 2025, per T-J.ru. This digital payment tool lets people and businesses skip dollars for cross-border shopping or deals. It’s a stepping stone, not the full currency yet.

The latest buzz came from the 2024 Kazan Summit, where leaders agreed to keep studying options like BRICS Clear, a settlement system. But as Regnum.ru notes, no firm date exists. Some predict a digital version could test-run by 2027 if all goes smoothly—think of it as a PayPal for governments, not a shiny coin. Others, like Russia’s Central Bank head Elvira Nabiullina, call it a "complex project" needing tons of agreement. For now, it’s more about trading in local currencies (like rubles or rupees) than launching a brand-new one.

Golden Number: Should We Expect a BRICS Currency Revolution?

The phrase "золотая цифра: ждать ли валюты БРИКС?" (Golden number: should we expect a BRICS currency?) pops up a lot, especially with chatter about tying it to gold. The idea is tempting: a currency backed by something solid, not just trust in a government. Gold bugs love it, and Zolotoy Zapas claims it could shake up prices if BRICS goes this route. Imagine a coin that’s worth its weight in gold, not just a promise on paper.

Here’s a real case to chew on: back in the 1970s, the US ditched the gold standard, and the dollar became king because people trusted it anyway. BRICS wants to flip that script. Russia and China, big gold holders, could anchor a currency to their stockpiles, making it a safe bet for trade. A PortNews analyst pointed out that this could appeal to countries like Saudi Arabia, a new BRICS member with oil and gold to spare.

But don’t bet your savings on it yet. Experts at Finam argue that gold-backed currencies are tricky—economies move too fast for a metal that sits in vaults. Plus, not all BRICS nations are gold-rich. India, for instance, leans more on tech and manufacturing. A hybrid system—part gold, part digital—might make more sense, but that’s still guesswork. The "golden number" dream is alive, but it’s not a sure thing.

How Would a BRICS Currency Work in Practice?

Let’s break it down with examples. Say a Brazilian farmer sells coffee to a Chinese factory. Right now, they’d convert reals to dollars, then dollars to yuan—losing a bit on fees each time. A "единая валюта стран БРИКС" could let them trade directly, maybe through a digital token tracked by BRICS Pay. It’s like using a gift card that works in all five (or now ten) countries.

For a Dortmund shop owner reading this, think local: if BRICS pulls this off, German exporters might face stiffer competition from BRICS goods priced in their own currency, not dollars. On the flip side, it could open cheaper trade routes to places like India. Gazeta.ru suggests it might even become a reserve currency—something central banks stash alongside dollars or euros—but that’s a big "if."

The catch? BRICS trade is only about 6% of their total exports, per Gazprombank Investments. Most of their business is still with the US or Europe. A new currency won’t flip that overnight. It’s more likely to start small, like a test run for government deals or energy trades (think Russian gas to China).

Challenges Standing in the Way

Nothing worth doing is easy, and the BRICS currency faces some big hurdles:

Economic Gaps

China’s economy dwarfs South Africa’s. Agreeing on a fair system—say, how much each currency weighs in a "basket"—is a headache. TASS experts say India and Brazil don’t want China’s yuan calling the shots.

Politics

BRICS isn’t a cozy club. Russia pushes hard for this to dodge sanctions, but India’s not as fussed about ditching the dollar. Getting everyone on the same page takes time.

Tech and Trust

A digital currency needs bulletproof systems. BRICS Pay is a start, but scaling it to handle billions in trade—or convincing people it’s safe—is another story. Regnum.ru warns that without trust, it’s dead on arrival.

What’s Next for the BRICS Currency?

So, where does this leave us? The BRICS currency isn’t a fairy tale, but it’s not around the corner either. The push for "когда появится новая валюта БРИКС" (when will the new BRICS currency appear) has real momentum—think 2025 for BRICS Pay, maybe 2027 for a digital trial. Gold might play a role, but don’t expect a "золотая цифра" (golden number) miracle just yet. It’s more likely to grow slowly, starting with trade between members.

For readers in Dortmund or beyond, this matters because it could shift how goods flow and prices stack up. A café owner might one day buy Brazilian coffee cheaper, or a German factory might lose a deal to a BRICS rival. It’s not just finance geek stuff—it’s about your wallet too.

The journalists at TheMors will keep tracking this story as it unfolds. Want to stay ahead of the curve? Head to TheMors – Breaking News for the latest on BRICS, global trade, and more.

FAQ: Quick Answers on the BRICS Currency

What is the BRICS currency?
It’s a proposed payment system or coin for trade between BRICS countries, aiming to skip the US dollar.

When will it launch?
No set date—maybe a digital version by 2027 if talks go well. BRICS Pay starts in 2025.

Will it replace the dollar?
Not anytime soon. It’s more about giving BRICS options, not toppling the dollar.

Is it gold-backed?
Possibly, but no firm plan exists. It’s one idea on the table.