brics

#ChinaDrama #BRICS #china #ChinaTech China's high-power 'Microwave Weapon' that can damage satellites in space

China has developed a high-power microwave system TPG1000Cs that could one day be used to disrupt satellite networks such as SpaceX's Starlink. According to Chinese experts, a ground-based microwave weapon with an output exceeding one gigawatt (1 GW) could be powerful enough to severely interfere with or even damage Starlink satellites operating in low Earth orbit, reported the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

The device can deliver up to 20 gigawatts of power continuously for as long as one minute. It measures just four meters in length and weighs around five tonnes.  This device has already completed more than 200,000 test pulses during trials and is designed for deployment on trucks, ships, aircraft or potentially in space. TPG1000Cs also represents a major upgrade over its earlier Hurricane-series high-power microwave (HPM) weapons, which were primarily designed for short-range air defence.

$BTC $ETH
The significant progress of BRICS as it expands membership and economic influence, now accounting for about 35-40% of global GDP and half the world population. Key developments include the introduction of a new partner country category allowing broader but non-voting participation, and the advancement of financial initiatives such as BRICS Pay—a system enabling trade in local currencies bypassing SWIFT—and the launch of the BRICS Unit, a gold-backed digital trade currency aimed at reducing reliance on the US dollar. Despite these gains, internal tensions exist, especially India’s opposition to aggressive de-dollarization efforts, reflecting variable member strategies. External challenges include threats of severe trade tariffs from the US against members abandoning the dollar. However, BRICS continues to strengthen its financial infrastructure and gold reserves to shield against currency volatility and sanctions.
Market Sentiment
From an investor perspective, the BRICS developments evoke a mix of cautious optimism and uncertainty. The bloc’s move toward de-dollarization and alternative payment methods sparks hope for a potential shift in global economic power that might diversify currency risks for emerging markets. However, India’s resistance and ongoing geopolitical tensions introduce anxieties around the bloc’s cohesion and the feasibility of these ambitious financial plans. Social media and market observers are likely tracking the rollout of the BRICS Unit and alternative systems closely, with increased discussions about the risks and benefits of diversifying away from the dollar. Quantitatively, the substantial gold holdings (over 6,000 tonnes) serve as a tangible measure of risk mitigation, increasing confidence in BRICS’ long-term stability.
Past & Future
- Past: Historically, currency blocs and alternative payment systems like the Eurozone and ASEAN’s local currency swap arrangements faced challenges balancing member interests and external pressures. The Soviet-era Comecon bloc’s attempts to maintain economic independence from Western financial systems eventually faced limitations due to internal inefficiencies and external economic pressures.
- Future: Given the accelerated pace of BRICS’ membership expansion and financial architecture developments, we can anticipate gradual but meaningful shifts in global trade settlement patterns. The BRICS Unit, supported by substantial gold reserves, may increase usage in intra-bloc and partner-country trade, possibly growing to represent 10-20% of member trade over the next 3-5 years. However, internal divisions, particularly India’s stance, may slow complete de-dollarization, suggesting a phased evolution rather than abrupt change. Investors should watch for further adoption metrics of BRICS Pay and bilateral trade volumes settled in local currencies as early quantitative indicators.
The Effect
The expansion and financial innovations within BRICS could exert significant pressure on the US dollar’s dominance in global trade, potentially triggering volatility in currency markets and shifts in international reserve assets allocation. Increased gold-backed currency usage and bilateral settlements in local monies might reduce dollar liquidity, affecting global credit markets and treasury yields indirectly. These shifts could complicate US monetary policy transmission and increase geopolitical risks, especially as BRICS members face threats of punitive trade tariffs. For investors, this translates into heightened macroeconomic uncertainties and the potential for diversification away from dollar-centric assets.
Investment Strategy
Recommendation: Hold
- Rationale: While BRICS’ developments represent a major geo-economic shift with long-term implications, the current phase is marked by significant uncertainties due to internal divisions and external geopolitical pressure. The mixed pace of de-dollarization and ongoing debates on membership priorities call for cautious observation rather than immediate repositioning.
- Execution Strategy: Investors should maintain current crypto and emerging market exposures without aggressive increases. Monitor technical adoption of BRICS financial systems and track the movement of trade volumes into BRICS Pay and the BRICS Unit as leading indicators. Consider incremental exposure to gold-backed or gold-linked digital assets as a hedge.
- Risk Management: Employ trailing stops on high-volatility positions to protect gains amid uncertainty. Maintain portfolio diversification across currency and geopolitical risk zones to mitigate potential adverse ripple effects of shifting global payment paradigms. Stay alert to macro signals such as US dollar strength, trade tariff developments, and geopolitical tensions involving BRICS member countries, adjusting allocation accordingly.
This cautious yet observant approach parallels the disciplined risk management protocols of institutional investors and hedge funds, balancing exposure to transformational trends while preserving capital amid systemic uncertainty.#BRICS #bricsdedollisation #BRICSDigitalCurrency #Bricspay #Bricsunit