How BRICS is Building Parallel Financial and Trade "Rails" — and Where Businesses Can Expect the First Effects

Two synchronized processes have acted as catalysts: China has launched the Renminbi Digital cross-border payment system based on the digital yuan, reducing dependence on dollar infrastructure and company costs, as reported by Rossiyskaya Gazeta. Concurrently, Russia is significantly increasing state investments in foreign logistics and industrial facilities to support exports, writes Finmarket.

What Exactly Has China Launched, and How Is It Changing Payments for Companies?

China's Renminbi Digital enables direct cross-border payments in digital yuan without the involvement of SWIFT or intermediary banks, reducing transaction costs. This is already available in ASEAN countries, the Middle East, and CIS (including Russia), as confirmed by Rossiyskaya Gazeta.

The system is based on CBDC: the People's Bank of China manages issuance and control, while payments involve token transfers between wallets via a state-owned blockchain. Commercial banks and licensed operators provide access. The project is being rolled out gradually and is framed as a supplement rather than a "replacement" for SWIFT, also aligning with the idea of a shared BRICS platform for payments in digital currencies, as indicated in the material from RG.

For businesses, this practically means:

• Direct reduction in fees and settlement times with Chinese counterparties.
• Lowered sanction and correspondent risks due to bypassing SWIFT.
• Access to digital yuan payments through local banks in several BRICS+ jurisdictions.

How Is BRICS Turning CBDC and RWA into a New Investment Architecture?

The focus is shifting towards CBDC models and tokenized assets (RWA): the RWA market grew by 260% in 2025 to $23 billion. The BRICS PAY session discussed "programmable money" for subsidies and infrastructure projects, as well as models for cross-border payments through direct CBDC connections, a common platform, or stablecoins, as summarized by Bankovskoye Obozreniye.

The integration of tokenized real-world assets into investment platforms' toolkit could become another driver for the industry's development.

After such a "tethering" of payments (CBDC) and capital (RWA), municipal and industry projects gain access to liquidity and more flexible financing mechanisms with reduced reliance on Western institutions.

How Are BRICS Institutions and Cities Reacting: What New Platforms Are Being Created?

Coordination and industry platforms are being established: the Moscow Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has proposed accelerating the formation of the Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry of BRICS Megacities to coordinate business support measures and attract investment, as stated by Vladimir Platonov, Vice President of MCCI. Concurrently, a BRICS grain exchange is being formed with participation from an UAE operator to simplify agricultural product trade and reduce costs, as reported by FederalCity.

The scale of discussions is confirmed by the BRICS International Municipal Forum in St. Petersburg: over 5,000 participants from 50 countries, and more than 80 events on "smart cities," green transformation, and municipal finance, as reported by the organizers.

What this offers businesses:

• Industry "rules of the game" and infrastructure (grain exchange) to reduce transaction and logistics costs.
• Channels for coordinating investments and local support measures through networks of megacity chambers of commerce.
• Accelerated institutionalization of CBDC/RWA practices at the municipal level.

How Are the Risks of Asset Confiscation in the West Accelerating De-dollarization?

The politicization of reserves strengthens the motive for alternatives: the potential confiscation of frozen Russian assets in the EU undermines trust in the Western banking system and may stimulate capital outflow into the yuan, gold, and BRICS clearing systems, as reported by Novostnoy Front, citing The European Conservative.

"When the EU states it can seize the reserves of another country's Central Bank, it undermines global trust in the Western banking system."

Against this backdrop, the value of "parallel rails"—from Renminbi Digital to industry exchanges and new logistics corridors—is growing as tools to reduce regulatory and sanction risks.

Where Will the Next "Growth Points" for Foreign Trade Infrastructure Emerge?

Key investments are in logistics and industrial zones along crucial routes: Russia is launching the federal project "Creation of Foreign Infrastructure" with a sharp increase in spending—837 million rubles (2025), 2 billion (2026), approximately 1 billion (2027), and 10.5 billion (2028). Support is planned for logistics operators (~7 billion), the creation of logistics and industrial hubs (~4 billion), and 4.5 billion rubles for the development of a Russian industrial zone in the Suez Canal area. The project targets 26 "anchor" countries from BRICS to the CIS and the Middle East, writes Finmarket.

The Chinese direction is strengthened by industrial cooperation: integrated production chains are being formed, joint R&D (5G, AI) is expanding, and priorities include bilateral strengthening, joint planning within BRICS, and simplification of investment procedures, as conveyed by RIAMO, citing CFIE Chairman Li Yizhong.

Collectively, a multi-layered BRICS+ ecosystem is being formed: payment rails (CBDC/Renminbi Digital), capital attraction channels (RWA), industry markets (grain exchange), and physical logistics (overseas logistics hubs and industrial zones). This enhances predictability and reduces the costs of foreign economic activity for companies focused on markets in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the CIS.