The launch of the BRICS “Unit” gold-backed digital trade instrument, even in its pilot phase, signals a significant, long-term shift toward de-dollarisation and the emergence of a multipolar financial system. This development primarily creates currency volatility risk, geopolitical risk, and market access risk for international businesses.
Business Risk Management Actions For BRICS Gold Backed Currency
Business leaders must take proactive steps to protect profit margins and capitalise on new trade opportunities that bypass the traditional dollar-centric financial architecture.
1. Diversify Currency Exposure and Payment Rails
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Action: Systematically audit all accounts receivable and accounts payable to quantify exposure to the US Dollar (USD) versus BRICS currencies (BRL, CNY, INR, RUB, ZAR) and the new “Unit” if it becomes readily available for international trade.
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Mitigation: Establish banking relationships or payment channels that can facilitate settlements in multiple currencies, including BRICS members’ local currencies and potentially the Unit. This reduces reliance on USD-centric payment systems like SWIFT.
2. Adopt Dynamic Currency Hedging Strategies
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Action: Move beyond simple forward contracts and explore more flexible hedging instruments like currency options to protect margins while retaining the ability to benefit from favourable exchange rate movements.
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Mitigation: Implement a formal, actively monitored Foreign Exchange (FX) risk management policy. Consider utilising natural hedging by matching revenues and expenses in the same currency to reduce net exposure (e.g., sourcing materials in Chinese Yuan if sales are also made in Yuan).
3. Revise Trade and Procurement Strategies
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Action: Evaluate the cost-competitiveness of suppliers and buyers within BRICS and Global South nations who may preferentially adopt the Unit for trade settlement, benefiting from lower transaction costs.
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Mitigation: Proactively renegotiate existing contracts to include multi-currency settlement clauses or specify pricing in a currency basket that aligns with the Unit’s composition (gold + BRICS currencies) to stabilise invoice values against pure fiat currency volatility.
4. Geographic and Supply Chain Re-evaluation
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Action: Map the geographic distribution of your supply chain and customer base to identify regions most likely to adopt the “Unit” (i.e., BRICS nations, Global South/Africa).
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Mitigation: Increase market intelligence focus on these regions. Where feasible, localise manufacturing or sourcing in key BRICS countries to operate and transact more easily within their emerging financial ecosystem and reduce cross-currency friction.
5. Monitor Political and Regulatory Developments
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Action: Designate a senior executive or external consultant to track the official adoption status, technical specifications, and regulatory compliance requirements of the BRICS Unit in relevant markets.
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Mitigation: Develop contingency plans for scenarios where major trading partners impose tariffs or sanctions in response to de-dollarisation efforts, such as the potential for US tariff actions.
6. Model Financial Impact Scenarios
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Action: Incorporate high-impact, low-probability events—such as a rapid 10-20% USD devaluation or the swift, widespread adoption of the Unit across key commodity markets—into financial forecasting and budgeting.
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Mitigation: Use the scenario models to determine acceptable levels of currency volatility for profit margins and establish clear trigger points for enacting the new, diversified hedging and payment strategies.
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BRICS Gold-Backed Unit: 6 Business Risk Management Strategies to Protect Profit from De-Dollarisation
