* S1.E22
* Brazil Hands BRICS Presidency to India
* December 15 handover after Rio summit review.
* Focus: What India’s 2026 chair means – cautious on de-dollarization vs. Russia/China push.
* Angle: Implications for bloc unity; West watches for slower pace.
* Indonesia’s $1B Boost to New Development Bank
* Late December: Indonesia commits big to NDB, fueling “de-dollarization economy.”
* Angle: How NDB loans in local currencies grow alternatives to World Bank.
* Tie-in: BRICS vs. West development financing competition.
* BRICS Enters “Second Stage” of Expansion
* Russian Sherpa Ryabkov (December 16): Partner countries category opens door for more joins.
* Angle: Who’s next? Malaysia’s partner status boosts resilience.
* Implications: Growing Global South bloc vs. Western alliances.
* Local Currency Trade Hits Milestones
* Reports: ~90% intra-BRICS trade in national currencies; bilateral deals surge.
* Angle: Real de-dollarization progress (rupee oil, yuan energy) without common currency.
* West counter: Dollar still 88% global.
* Gold Demand Soars Amid BRICS Narrative
* BRICS controls ~50% production; central banks buy records.
* Tie to Unit pilot adjustments and gold at all-time highs.
* Angle: Commodity leverage for multipolar finance.
* Trump’s Tariff Threats vs. BRICS
* Repeated warnings of 10-100% tariffs if bloc pushes anti-dollar moves.
* Angle: Chills enthusiasm? Brazil/India cautious response.
* Implications: West pushback on de-dollarization.
* Unit Pilot Reality Check Update
* Late December: Still tiny (100 Units), no official backing, value tweaks due to gold swings.
* Angle: Roast-friendly – hype vs. research prototype.
* Cardano silence, no on-chain proof.
* Malaysia Joins as Partner Country
* Boosts economic resilience; ties to broader expansion.
* Angle: ASEAN integration into BRICS – multipolar Asia shift.
* NDB’s Rupee Bond Plans
* First Indian rupee-denominated bond by March 2026.
* Angle: Local currency financing growth; challenge to dollar debt.
* BRICS AI and Tech Cooperation
* Discussions on shared AI development for Global South needs.
* Angle: Multipolar tech race vs. Western dominance.
