Russia’s crypto oil trade with China and India to avoid Western rules is reshaping BRICS finance. Will blockchain and de-dollarization in BRICS change how the world trades? BRICS includes Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. They want their own digital money and reduce dollar’s power.
Russia’s Crypto Play: Oil for Bitcoin
Since 2022, sanctions have hurt Russia’s huge $192 billion oil business. Russia cryptocurrency oil transactions will cut off the access to SWIFT and dollar payments and shifting towards BRICS blockchain initiative.
Russia now changes yuan and rupee payment it conducting business on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether (USDT) with these. Then, they switch the crypto into rubles using go-betweens. Reuters says these deals are “tens of millions” each month. Banks in Asia worry about angering U.S. now, India bought 2.07 million barrels each day in February 2025.
Anton Siluanov, the Finance Minister have told in san.com that 2025 will bring more. We know that things aren’t perfect. Tether froze Garantex’s wallet this year considering that rules can still cause problems.
The Rise of BRICS Digital Currency in Global Trade
The BRICS nations wants to link their economy with digital money. At a meeting in Kazan, they talked about “Unit” or BRICS Pay. Know that Unit would be gold’s piece (40%) and BRICS money (60%). CoinDesk says BRICS Pay is a payment system using blockchain.
But Putin wants alternatives not just one coin he told on CCN.com. According to Binod Singh Ajatshatru (watcher.guru) thinks it will happen around 2027, not 2025.
Reason behind crypto-backed trade settlements
As of now 90% of money trades use dollars that cost billion of fees also have penalties however, it will cut the use of dollar. BRICS has a lot of gold (5,700 tonnes). They also have projects like mBridge, which is led by China and backed by gold.
But there are issues with India and China, China wants to push its yuan. India is unsure about the plan. These things make it tricky.
Where Russia Meet and Split on the move with De-dollarization in BRICS
Their goal is same but they’re not the same.
Similarity
Russia cuts off the dollar with crypto trades because Russia don’t want to rely on U.S. BRICS nations want to do the same.
Sanctions are avoided with Bitcoin for selling oil Russia will gain profit from it. A BRICS coin might protect all its members.
Both use blockchain tech. Russia uses open public networks. BRICS wants its own private one that will take time BRICS want for future.
Difference
They make difference on one point Russia acts alone now using risky crypto that will temporary. BRICS plans a steady future together. One is fast. The other takes time.
The Synergy: A Crypto Bridge to BRICS?
Here’s the big idea: Russia’s oil deals might be a trial. The trial might be failed that BRICS aren’t aware of how. Let’s say Bitcoin works for $10 million So, Could it handle BRICS’ $5 trillion economy? Think of BRICS Pay taking over. It could swap Tether for a gold-backed “Unit.” Russia tests the idea of Crypto. BRICS makes it real for China and India as they buy oil already. They could become a single platform.
But its not easy act of De-dollarization in BRICS there are issues in progress Crypto can be slow. Bitcoin handles 7 deals a second which is raise problem. Oil needs billions and their Regulators might step in. The U.S. and EU could add rules. It will be hard to make BRICS agree. Still, BRICS has 18% of world trade. Russia is also determined. This shows promise.
Conclusion
Russia uses crypto to avoid sanctions for oil business, it’s a small but useful trick. BRICS wants a digital coin to change the trading world. These moves (De-dollarization in BRICS) show how digital money can fight Western control. Russia’s crypto use is only “tens of millions” compared to $192 billion this will not hurt petrodollar. But, Russia keeps trying, and BRICS keeps growing. Expect a gradual change where trade finds its way online.
