Russia’s new ruble backed stablecoin A7A5 has quietly moved more than $9.3 billion in just four months. It is being used to convert rubles into USDT, bypassing Western sanctions via offshore rails. It’s an expected workaround. In my 2023 article for City A.M., Can BRICS build something with Bitcoin? I discussed whether countries like Russia, China, and Brazil might one day adopt a neutral, open monetary standard rather than trying to replicate fiat in new digital forms. A7A5 shows the BRICS bloc is exploring alternatives to the dollar. But it is not building on openness, neutrality, or long-term resilience. Bitcoin is all of those things. A7A5 is a centralised digital IOU, processed through intermediaries. This is not true de-dollarisation. It is a centralised workaround that functions like a CBDC in disguise, without transparency or trustlessness. So why does it matter? Because Russia has already signalled interest in using Bitcoin for cross-border trade. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov confirmed in December 2024 that Russia is using Bitcoin in foreign transactions. Putin has said crypto has “a right to exist” and could be useful for settlements. A7A5 might not just be a workaround. It could be a stepping stone. By normalising crypto-based trade and softening public resistance, Russia may be laying the groundwork for broader adoption of digital assets - including Bitcoin. The real solution does not require back doors. How long before Russia is using bitcoin? Full article: www.cityam.com/can-brics-build-something-with-bitcoin