At the 2025 BRICS summit in Rio de Janeiro, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that the era of globalization is over, urging member nations to conduct trade using their own currencies. He highlighted that 90% of Russia's trade with BRICS countries already avoids the U.S. dollar, and introduced "BRICS Pay," a decentralized payment system designed to rival SWIFT.
In response, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs—starting at 10% and potentially reaching 100%—on countries aligning with BRICS policies that he perceives as "anti-American." This includes efforts to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.
The escalating tensions between BRICS nations and the U.S. are prompting a reevaluation of global financial systems. As traditional structures face challenges, alternatives like cryptocurrencies, stablecoins, and decentralized payment networks are gaining attention as potential neutral grounds in an increasingly fragmented financial landscape.