The global financial order is entering uncharted territory. With growing momentum, the BRICS nations—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—are working to establish a new global currency designed to challenge the U.S. dollar’s dominance in international trade and finance. As of 2024, BRICS currency countries account for over 32% of global GDP, surpassing the G7 in purchasing power parity, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). This seismic shift could dramatically influence the world of startup funding, investment flows, and fintech infrastructure.
In this era of multipolar currency dynamics, founders, investors, and venture capital firms must adapt to a landscape no longer dictated solely by dollar-denominated liquidity. This is more than a currency competition—it’s a redefinition of how innovation gets funded on the global stage.
The Rise of BRICS Currency: More Than a Political Statement
In August 2023, at the BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, member nations agreed to explore creating a common currency backed by a basket of commodities and possibly gold. The goal? Reduce dependence on the U.S. dollar in trade settlements and financial transactions. According to Reuters, this would include an integrated payment system that rivals SWIFT.
If realized, this could transform cross-border startup funding by making it easier for BRICS nations to invest in each other’s ecosystems without U.S. regulatory oversight or currency volatility.
For venture capitalists with global portfolios, this would require new multi-currency strategies and risk models.
What This Means for Fintech Startups and Infrastructure
The rise of an alternative currency system will drive demand for fintech platforms that facilitate seamless, secure multi-currency exchanges. Startups that offer cross-border remittance, blockchain-based settlements, or decentralized finance platforms may find themselves at the heart of a financial revolution.
In particular, platforms focused on regional financial inclusion and BRICS currency interoperability could become critical infrastructure.
Some of the most promising fintech startups are already working on solutions that cater to underserved markets with localized financial tools—a move that aligns well with the BRICS bloc’s goals.
De-dollarization and Its Impact on Startup Valuations
If BRICS nations succeed in reducing dollar dependence, startup valuations—especially in emerging markets—could undergo significant recalibration. Traditionally, startups are funded and valued in USD, which anchors them to U.S. interest rate fluctuations and capital movement restrictions.
In a world where a BRICS currency gains traction, valuation benchmarks may shift, allowing startups in Asia, Africa, and Latin America to grow without dollar-based constraints or exposure.
Consumer sectors like healthcare in India or consumer goods in Brazil could become more attractive to local investors using a native BRICS currency, improving liquidity and encouraging regional M&A activity.
Education and Human Capital in a Multipolar Currency World
A multi-currency financial ecosystem would require massive workforce adaptation, especially in finance, international business, and policy. Countries moving toward BRICS-aligned finance will need talent skilled in new financial systems, digital wallets, and geopolitical economics.
EdTech startups that offer tailored courses in alternative economic systems, BRICS finance, and blockchain payment networks are poised for explosive growth.
As nations realign priorities, the need for specialized education platforms will surge—and investors will likely follow.
Vertical AI: The Secret Weapon of Emerging Economies
AI-driven platforms tailored to BRICS-specific industries—like agriculture in Brazil, mining in South Africa, or logistics in India—could become catalysts for national innovation. These vertical AI solutions allow countries to build sector-specific digital infrastructure independent of U.S.-based platforms.
As funding decouples from the dollar, governments and local VCs may favor domestic innovation powered by AI to reduce tech dependence on the West.
Emerging vertical AI startups aligned with BRICS goals may attract sovereign fund investments seeking to build tech independence from U.S. Big Tech.
Environmental Tech and the Role of Carbon in Currency
One proposal floated during the BRICS Summit involves tying the new currency to environmental credits or carbon assets, creating a green-backed global unit. If implemented, this would radically shift how climate tech startups are funded and scaled.
For instance, startups focused on emissions tracking, circular economies, and sustainable logistics could be favored as pillars of a carbon-pegged financial system.
Investors already targeting scalable environmental tech innovations will have an early advantage in this paradigm, especially if these startups help enable BRICS-aligned ESG compliance.
Healthcare Sovereignty and Decentralized Bioeconomies
One of the unspoken goals of a BRICS currency is healthcare sovereignty. As countries reduce reliance on Western pharma supply chains, investment into domestic biotech, vaccine infrastructure, and medtech startups is expected to increase.
Startup funding for healthcare innovation may become more regional and currency-diversified, breaking from dollar-backed VC cycles.
We’ve already seen signs of this in post-pandemic investment surges in India and China. Investors focusing on healthcare verticals aligned with domestic policy will likely be the biggest beneficiaries of this geopolitical reorientation.
Investor Realignment: Toward a Dual-Track Funding Ecosystem
If a BRICS currency becomes viable, global investment strategies will have to bifurcate into dual-track systems: one USD-centric, and one BRICS-aligned. Venture capital firms, institutional funds, and sovereign wealth vehicles will need to diversify both liquidity and regulatory exposure.
Firms actively adapting to this dual model—especially those partnering with regional capital networks—will be best positioned to identify undervalued assets and emerging unicorns.
Those seeking guidance on navigating this new funding environment can reach out directly to Keev Capital’s strategic team for insights into cross-currency startup positioning.
Conclusion: A New Financial World Is Taking Shape
The rise of a BRICS-backed currency isn’t just a geopolitical development—it’s a financial revolution in the making. From valuation frameworks and funding flows to the platforms that support cross-border transactions, everything we know about startup capital dynamics could be rewritten.
The dollar will likely remain powerful, but it may no longer be singular. For founders and investors alike, now is the time to diversify, rethink assumptions, and embrace a multi-currency future that’s already unfolding.
Adapt to the Future Before It Arrives
A new global financial order is not a far-off scenario—it’s unfolding now. Startup founders who prepare for multi-currency fundraising will gain first-mover advantage in emerging capital markets. Investors who align with BRICS-driven innovation will tap into underpriced opportunities. As power shifts east and south, it’s critical to position yourself early. Explore sectors and markets that thrive outside of the dollar-dominated system. The next unicorn may not be built in Silicon Valley—it could be minted in São Paulo, Johannesburg, or Shanghai.
