The gold backing: BRICS' strategy to diversify its monetary power

In the early part of the last decade, the BRICS block began exploring alternatives to reduce its vulnerability to fluctuations in the US dollar. Now, that search has taken concrete form: through a gold-backed currency, the main emerging economic actors are advancing in building a more autonomous payment system in cross-border trade.

A dual-structure gold currency

Launched on October 31, 2025, the initiative introduces a monetary instrument directly linked to precious metals. Each unit of this gold currency is anchored to 1 gram of gold, while its reserves are distributed between 40% in physical gold and 60% in national currencies of BRICS member countries. This balanced composition reinforces confidence in the mechanism and positions it as a neutral asset for commercial transactions.

Blockchain implementation and projections

To ensure transparency and security, IRIAS proceeded with the initial issuance of 100 units, recording the structure of this gold currency on the Cardano network on November 10. This decision to utilize decentralized technology reflects the intention to create a more resilient and verifiable system, away from dependencies on centralized intermediaries.

Strengthening gold reserves

BRICS financial movements reveal a coherent strategy: from the beginning of 2025 to September, the block accumulated an additional 129.7 tons of gold, raising its total reserves to 145.1 tons. This methodical accumulation underscores the group’s genuine commitment to strengthening its financial independence and reducing reliance on the dollar in its international transactions.

Purpose and scope of the project

Contrary to what some analysts speculate, this gold currency does not aim to replace the national currencies of its members. Instead, it functions as a facilitating instrument specifically designed for payments between BRICS nations and selected countries that join the initiative. Its neutral nature positions it as a trade tool aimed at overcoming the limitations imposed by dependence on traditional currencies.