Nizhny Novgorod hosts discussions on the future financial infrastructure of the BRICS сountries

Roscongress, 21.05.2026

Nizhny Novgorod hosted the panel discussion “Financial infrastructure of the future. How to stay sustainable in the digital age” as part of the 11th International Conference “Digitalization of Industrial Russia” (CIPR 2026).

The event was organized by the Project Office for the Development Strategy of the Nizhny Novgorod Region and the Roscongress Foundation’s international platform Roscongress International, with the support of the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region. The discussion brought together representatives of government bodies, the international expert community, the banking sector, fintech companies, and investment platforms from Russia, Brazil, and India. At the centre of the debate was the creation of new mechanisms for international settlements and financial cooperation between BRICS countries using digital financial instruments: technologies that could in time serve as an alternative to the traditional international payment infrastructure and provide more resilient, secure, and independent mechanisms for cross-border interaction.

According to assessments by international institutions, the financial infrastructure is currently undergoing far-reaching change: the digital assets market is growing, the share of digital services in payments is increasing, and with it the demand for new mechanisms of trust and international cooperation.

Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region Dmitry Starostin noted that the session’s discussion extended well beyond the topic of payment instruments, touching on the formation of a new architecture of financial, technological, and digital security for the BRICS countries. “Today, governments and participants in foreign economic activity have a strong interest in building resilient and secure mechanisms for international cooperation. It is particularly significant that representatives from Brazil and India shared their own technological solutions and approaches to developing independent financial infrastructure. This topic is also of direct relevance to Nizhny Novgorod exporters, as the development of new financial instruments and settlement mechanisms will expand the possibilities for foreign economic activity and simplify engagement with international partners,” said Dmitry Starostin.

He also noted that the Government of the Nizhny Novgorod Region is prepared to participate in the development of international cooperation and the formulation of initiatives in the field of digital financial technologies.

The discussion was moderated by Alexander Nam, Vice President for Digital Assets at MTS Fintech.

“Supporting the development of Russia’s regions and advancing their international potential remains one of the Roscongress Foundation’s core areas of activity. The Nizhny Novgorod Region is consistently developing its digital and financial ecosystem, while also expanding international engagement in the field of technology and innovation. The Roscongress Foundation’s international platform, Roscongress International, stands ready to continue assisting Russian regions in developing international cooperation, implementing joint projects, and promoting regional initiatives,” said Alexandra Ogneva, Deputy CEO and Head of the Directorate for International and Regional Cooperation of the Roscongress Foundation.

Deivison Arthur, Founder and CEO of EBX.TECH and AGABE.ORG and Co-Chair of the BRICS iDEA Committee, noted that the BRICS countries now have the opportunity to build their own mechanisms for international financial cooperation.

“The global financial system is undergoing transformation, and digital assets and decentralized solutions are gradually becoming part of the new financial infrastructure. In this environment, resilience, security, technological sovereignty, and the international interoperability of solutions take on critical importance,” he said.

The experts concluded that the resilience of the modern financial infrastructure is determined not only by the level of technological development, but also by institutional trust, the quality of regulation, and international coordination. It was particularly emphasized that the most promising models are those designed from the outset as international and compatible with a range of different infrastructures.

Participants also drew attention to the fact that pilot projects in the field of digital financial assets, stablecoins, and digital depositories in the BRICS countries are gradually moving from the pilot stage to practical implementation and may in time become part of a new global financial architecture.

“Today’s discussion has shown that digital financial instruments are already moving beyond individual experiments and becoming a fully-fledged element of international infrastructure. It is significant that the BRICS countries and their international partners are ready not only to discuss such mechanisms, but to jointly develop practical solutions for cross-border settlements, investment cooperation, and the development of the digital economy,” said Alexander Nam.

Session participants expressed their readiness to further advance international dialogue and implement joint projects in the field of digital financial technologies, cross-border infrastructure, and payment services.