Bitcoin, BRICS, and the ETF Revolution
In 2010, when I was first entering the Bitcoin space, I would have never imagined pairing Bitcoin with ETFs in the same sentence — but, oh, the world we’re stepping into now!
Just a few weeks ago, I spoke on a panel about ETFs at the Ripple Swell event, and it got me thinking about how profoundly the next 3–5 years will change everything.
We’re witnessing a unique convergence of forces challenging traditional financial power. From the approval of the Bitcoin ETF in the U.S. to the BRICS nations building alternative monetary systems, we’re seeing a paradigm shift that decentralizes financial control. While BRICS seeks to escape the U.S.-dominated financial framework, the rise of Bitcoin — especially its mainstream acceptance via ETFs — signals an appetite for financial independence at an individual level.
This shift represents a modern reversal of the centralization wave that began nearly a century ago, marking a profound moment in the global struggle for economic freedom.
As this new paradigm unfolds, governments are faced with a critical choice: they must either accept citizens as financial equals, empowered with newfound control, or double down on full surveillance — a path technology has made alarmingly feasible.
Let’s explore how Bitcoin ETFs, BRICS’ alternative monetary systems, and broader decentralization trends are reshaping the future of finance, why this movement is happening, the opportunities it presents, and where we might be headed.
How: The Mechanics of Decentralization through ETFs and Global Alternatives
In 1933, Executive Order 6102 forcibly centralized American wealth by seizing gold and removing its backing from the dollar. Today, as
noted, history is “running in reverse.” The approval of the Bitcoin ETF allows people to gain exposure to "digital gold" without relying on central banks or gold-backed currency. The ETF grants indirect access to Bitcoin’s value, widening access to decentralized financial instruments, even if it’s not the same as holding actual Bitcoin. With ETFs, investors can participate in the crypto market through traditional financial channels, slowly decentralizing financial control from established powers.Parallel to this, the BRICS nations are developing their own monetary “railways” to lessen dependence on the U.S. dollar. Systems like “BRICS Pay” are being designed to operate on blockchain technology and facilitate transactions in local currencies, reducing the grip of Western-controlled financial systems. These efforts parallel Bitcoin’s own mission of bypassing traditional, centralized financial gatekeepers.
Why: The Desire for Economic Autonomy and Resistance to Centralized Control
The momentum toward decentralization — whether through ETFs, BRICS monetary systems, or Bitcoin itself — speaks to a broader yearning for financial freedom. Governments, particularly authoritarian regimes and monarchies, are wary of Bitcoin’s potential for "freedom," as it allows people to transact and store wealth without state interference. This is especially threatening to leaderships that use currency control as a form of surveillance and influence over citizens.
Similarly, BRICS nations have long sought to reduce their economic dependence on the U.S. dollar, which has dominated global finance. By creating their own monetary systems, these countries can reclaim sovereignty over their economies, bypass sanctions, and shield themselves from the ripple effects of U.S. monetary policy. At the individual level, Bitcoin and Bitcoin ETFs offer Americans and others worldwide an opportunity to build wealth outside the reach of government-controlled currency.
This decentralization represents a pivotal shift, forcing governments to confront a decision: respect citizens as financially autonomous individuals or attempt to exert even greater control. Today, the technology exists to track every transaction, monitor wealth accumulation, and enforce capital controls at unprecedented levels.
The question, then, is whether governments will embrace a system that grants individuals true financial power — or resort to full-scale surveillance, leveraging technology to maintain dominance.
Opportunities: Financial Freedom for Individuals, Nations, and Investors
For Traditional and Retail Investors: Bitcoin ETFs make cryptocurrency more accessible, allowing individuals to participate in the decentralized financial movement without navigating the complexities of digital wallets or private keys. This exposure drives up Bitcoin demand, which benefits holders and further decentralizes financial power. The ETF serves as a bridge between centralized financial markets and decentralized assets, providing a familiar way for mainstream investors to engage with Bitcoin’s promise of independence.
For BRICS Nations and Emerging Economies: The new monetary systems empower BRICS nations to strengthen their economies without relying on the dollar, creating trade agreements that bypass traditional financial controls. This could lead to a more multipolar financial world, where no single currency or nation holds disproportionate sway. With blockchain infrastructure supporting these systems, BRICS could drive a powerful shift toward a diversified global economy.
For Individuals Under Authoritarian Control: Bitcoin offers a means of financial escape for those under strict regimes. In authoritarian states, currency manipulation and capital controls limit citizens' economic mobility, but Bitcoin provides an uncensorable, unseizable way to store and transfer value. With a Bitcoin ETF legitimizing the asset in mainstream finance, its value could grow, providing even more financial empowerment to those seeking autonomy from centralized systems.
For Regulators and Governments Open to Innovation: By approving Bitcoin ETFs, regulators have the opportunity to manage risks while embracing innovation. This could establish the U.S. and other countries as hubs for the emerging decentralized finance (DeFi) movement, attracting talent, capital, and innovation. The approval reflects a grudging acceptance from regulators that the demand for decentralized financial assets is here to stay — and that there’s value in adapting rather than resisting.
Where We Are Going: Toward a Decentralized Financial Ecosystem
The convergence of Bitcoin ETFs and BRICS-led financial initiatives signals a decentralization of global financial power. We are moving toward a hybrid ecosystem where decentralized assets like Bitcoin co-exist with alternative state-backed systems, forming a parallel structure outside the dominant dollar-centric framework. As more investors gain access to Bitcoin, and as BRICS nations establish their systems, traditional central banks will face increased pressure to adapt or risk losing influence.
This shift will likely inspire more regions and groups to create their own alternative financial systems, fragmenting the global economy further. With individuals empowered by Bitcoin’s ethos and nations emboldened by BRICS’ example, we are entering an era where financial control is no longer monopolized by a few centralized authorities.
Yet, this decentralized future also presents governments with a crucial decision.
Embracing this shift could mean respecting citizens’ financial autonomy and partnering with a global economy of empowered individuals. Alternatively, governments could choose full surveillance, exploiting advanced technology to monitor and control financial transactions.
This choice will shape the nature of financial freedom and privacy for future generations.
Conclusion
This new financial landscape reflects a collective pushback against centralized control.
From the Bitcoin ETF in the U.S. to the BRICS initiative, individuals and nations alike are exploring ways to reclaim financial sovereignty. For nearly a century, centralized powers have dictated global financial practices. But with the rise of Bitcoin and decentralized systems, we are seeing the possibility of a truly distributed financial ecosystem, where power is more balanced, and freedom is more attainable.
Governments now face a choice: honor this wave of financial empowerment or leverage technology to strengthen control.
Financial freedom is within reach for millions — but the direction we take hinges on the decisions made by those in power. In a world where Bitcoin and ETFs can exist in the same sentence, the future of finance is anything but predictable.
Fascinating analysis, Maja! It’s remarkable to think how the acceptance of Bitcoin ETFs could serve as a gateway to broader decentralized finance, especially as BRICS and other regions strive to establish economic sovereignty. This parallel development – where traditional systems start integrating decentralized assets while nations like those in BRICS build alternatives to the dollar – really underscores the shift toward a multipolar financial world. I’m curious about your thoughts on the role of stablecoins in this transition. Could they act as a bridge between these emerging decentralized systems and traditional finance in a similar way to ETFs? It feels like we’re witnessing a rare historical pivot point in global finance.