BRICS countries seek to build a CBDC interconnection system; central bank digital currencies are expected to accelerate the transformation of cross-border payments

【ChainNews】The Reserve Bank of India is brewing a major move—promoting interconnection of central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) among BRICS countries. This idea is not simple; what is the core focus? To facilitate smoother trade settlements and personnel exchanges among member countries, while gradually reducing dependence on the US dollar. According to informed sources, the Reserve Bank of India has advised the government to put this matter on the agenda, with plans to officially promote it at the 2026 BRICS summit—this meeting will be held in India.

It should be noted that this is the first attempt by BRICS countries to establish such a CBDC linkage system at the official level. It may sound grand, but upon reflection, it’s understandable—current cross-border payments are still inefficient, and old issues like exchange rate risk and settlement delays have long troubled trade parties. If CBDCs can truly achieve interconnection, settlement speeds will be much faster, and costs can be significantly reduced.

The deeper significance lies in this reflecting emerging economies’ thoughts on the international payment system. From the perspective of de-dollarization, this move is quite forward-looking. Although it will take time and technological breakthroughs to fully realize, this signal is already very clear—the payment landscape in the digital age is quietly changing.