Karsten Wenzlaff, Advisor
August 26th, 2025
BRICS | Dec 3, 2024

Image: Freepik/ibrandify
The original BRICS member nations including Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa previously announced their bold vision to challenge the dominance of the U.S. dollar by creating a shared currency. The plan hatched and promised an alternative currency and payment system that would be free from the influence of U.S. sanctions and monetary policy.
Lord Lamont of Lerwick stated:
"If it ever happened, it would be a major threat to the Western-led financial system, but above all it would make it impossible for the West to impose sanctions on countries like Russia, China or Iran or other malign countries."
But is the dream now unravelling?
Just a few days ago, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced that American wasn't going to sit by idly while BRICS trading bloc tries to circumvent the U.S. dollar and threatened to implement a 100% tariff on BRICS nations if they launch an alternative currency. He also demanded commitment from these countries that that would and abandon any de-dollarization efforts.
The idea that the BRICS Countries are trying to move away from the Dollar while we stand by and watch is OVER. We require a commitment from these Countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar or, they…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 30, 2024
Russia isn’t backing down arguing that Trump's threats could backfire by pushing even more countries to consider alternatives other than the dollar.
Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman:
"[The dollar is losing its appeal as a reserve currency for many countries, a trend that is gathering pace]. More and more countries are switching to the use of national currencies in their trade and foreign economic activities. If the U.S. uses force, as they say economic force, to compel countries to use the dollar it will further strengthen the trend of switching to national currencies (in international trade)."
Recent reports say that some BRICS members may be stepping back from the initiative due to varying economies and conflicting monetary policies that are anticipated to be difficult to overcome. Each country has unique economic needs so a one size fits all approach to a currency solution is tricky. For example, China is an economic powerhouse and may prioritize its own currency at the expense of smaller nations.
Is it a zero sum game with a clear winner and loser?
China is best positioned to benefit if a BRICS currency takes off. They are the largest economy in the BRICS trading bloc and Beijing could use the initiative as a stepping stone to boost the yuan's role in global trade. China is strategically looking to increase its global influence so its beyond just economics. Critics are concerned that such dominance by China would come at the expense of smaller BRICS members.
Russia, currently at war with the Ukraine and constantly at loggerheads with the U.S. has a lot riding on the idea of an alternative BRICS currency. Russia is currently facing a litany of sanctions and economic isolation so an alternative to the U.S. dollar could help stabilize Russia's economy and offer it a better hand on the geopolitical global stage. Conversely, a failed BRICS currency could force Russia into a rock and a hard place.
India is being more cautious as it understands that while a BRICS currency may make trading easier within a bloc, it could give China more control. India has its own massively growing economy and aspirations so it's walking a fine line that balances cooperation while protecting its independence.
For Brazil and South Africa the risks are high with smaller rewards since their economies are much smaller and they may struggle to stay competitive in a system dominated by China and Russia. So while they may be benefits for a larger block, their smaller interests could easily get pushed to the side so the benefits aren't as clear nor are they guaranteed. Having said that Brazil has been a strong advocate for a BRICS currency system over the dollar.
While the U.S. dollar is still dominant, cracks are appearing as some countries are seeking alternatives to U.S. economic sanctions or geopolitical strategies. Since trading nations are deeply integrated and affect global markets, any significant changes to currency dynamics could have serious global impact. It could appear as shifting exchanges rates, new supply chains / trade flows and different financial alliances.
Companies and policymakers need to remain agile. Even if the BRICS currency initiative fails, its a movement that gained momentum and certainly a trend that the world cannot ignore.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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RPAA | Dec 2, 2024
Image: Freepik/rawpixel.com
The Bank of Canada has published a list of applicants (currently 1187) including many key players in Canada’s retail payment space. This list will be updated regularly and will show all registered PSPs once the transition period ends on September 8, 2025.
PSPs must comply with regulations to manage risks and protect user funds. The Bank of Canada emphasizes the importance of compliance and is committed to supporting PSPs in understanding their responsibilities under the RPAA.
A new guideline on protecting users' funds will be published shortly which contains key information for payment service providers to meet their responsibilities.
Stay tuned for more updates...
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Competition | Nov 28, 2024

AI Image
The US, UK, and EU are finally getting tougher on Google's search monopoly, and the Competition Bureau of Canada is now suing Google) too for anti-competitive behaviour that unfairly blocks competition and maintains control over core tools used by advertisers and publishers. The Bureau says Google's unfair practices costs advertisers and publishers which hinder the Canadian economy and restrict innovation.
The area of focus in this case is Google's advertising tech stack which is a series of tools that connects buyers and sellers of advertisements that Google controls to dominate the the sector. Google allegedly forces businesses to use its tools by making them work better with Google Search than any other competitor's tools.
They also prioritize its own products in ad space auctions, and restrict publishers from working freely with other platforms, limiting the competition while boosting their control. At the end of the day, anti-competitive practice forces advertisers to pay higher costs which are passed onto consumers who pay higher prices, hurting Canadian businesses and consumers.
The Bureau has taken the case to the Competition Tribunal and is asking them to force Google to sell parts of its advertising tech business to create a more open market. They also are asking Google to stop these anti-competitive practices and pay financial penalties to ensure compliance with Canadian competition laws. Google of course disagrees and plans to defend itself in court, saying there's a lot of competition in online advertising and that businesses have many options.
This is a big case for Canada who has increased efforts to address monopolistic practices in the digital economy.
If the Competition Bureau, it will impact how Google operates its ad tech business in Canada hopefully lowering costs for advertisers while increasing revenue for publishers, and spur more innovation and competition in the market. Does this case smell similar to the Canadian banks and the need to strengthen competition in the financial sector?
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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November 29, 2024

Image: Freepik/master1305
Effective governance can never be a ‘set and forget’ endeavor — it needs to be continually monitored, reviewed, and modernized for the business to see its full benefits.
As Marc Hodak, Partner at Farient Advisors, said at Diligent’s user conference, “Good governance is ultimately what is right for the long-term health of the company.”
Diligent, a leader in modern governance, highlights the need for organizations to conduct regular health checks in order to maintain good governance, effectively manage risk, foster diversity and inclusion, and react to the needs of shareholders and the wider society.
In the same way you’d send your vehicle for a regular check-up to help to identify hidden issues so you can proactively address them and drive smoothly, regular governance health checks are also crucial. A deep governance check can uncover potential gaps or weaknesses in the governance structure, allowing businesses to quickly adapt to changing regulatory landscapes, emerging risks, and evolving business needs.
What steps do organizations need to take to complete a corporate governance health check? In the framework below, Diligent’s experts outline how to perform a governance health check to proactively respond to the evolving corporate landscape, empower sustainable growth, and uncover any hidden issues,
Good corporate governance considers the rules, practices and processes that guide an organization towards its goals through effective operations and clear decision-making.
Six key principles of corporate governance were issued by the G20 and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 2023. This guidance assists policymakers in evaluating and improving legal, regulatory, and institutional frameworks while also serving as a guide to help corporations innovate and adapt in a competitive world.
Once you’ve completed your governance health check, keep up with organizational changes and evolving stakeholder needs through real-time data dashboards for board and leadership collaboration.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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Financing | Nov 27, 2024

Image of databricks logo
Reuters reported that Databricks is in talks to raise an additional $8 billion in a new funding round that would push the data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) giant towards a company valuation o f $55 billion or one of Silicon Valley's most profitable private firms. Why are they raising this capital now and what does it mean for the future?
Most funding rounds are strategic and this time is no different as Databricks positions itself as a data leader in global AI and data analytics markets. Reported global revenue as of Jan 2024, was $1.6 billion for a 50% increase over the prior year.
A large chunk of the funds will be via secondary share sales, allowing early investors and employees to cash in on some of their shares which will boost employee morale without impacting operational budgets. The funding will also help cover tax liabilities associated with these secondary share sales which could cost billions.
Also this round avoids the pressures of going public. By raising capital in private markets or internally, Databricks avoids the volatility and regulatory scrutiny of public markets.
The funding will speed up development of generative AI solutions and machine learning products so Databricks can compete with tech giants like Microsoft and Google in the space. Its Lakehouse Platform has been a cornerstone of their success and a key solution for companies looking to harness big data and AI. Over 10,000 organizations globally use it already including 40% of Fortune 500 firms.
The funding allows them to strengthen their M&A strategy which will help confirm its market leadership and acquire new assets to strengthen its overall offerings like the $1 billion acquisition of Tabular earlier this year. As AI adoption grows worldwide, Databricks aims to expand to new and emerging markets with untapped potential for data-driven technologies.
Databricks is working closely with financial institutions, fintechs, and strategic partners to deliver innovative data analytics and AI solutions to improve efficiency and better service customers, such as:
Databricks closing in on a $55 billion valuation and new $8 billion funding round mostly secondary shares in private markets will be another win for a Silicon Valley giant. With its Lakehouse Platform and AI tools already transforming fintech, Databricks is at the forefront of data and business intelligence globally.
The National Crowdfunding & Fintech Association (NCFA Canada) is a financial innovation ecosystem that provides education, market intelligence, industry stewardship, networking and funding opportunities and services to thousands of community members and works closely with industry, government, partners and affiliates to create a vibrant and innovative fintech and funding industry in Canada. Decentralized and distributed, NCFA is engaged with global stakeholders and helps incubate projects and investment in fintech, alternative finance, crowdfunding, peer-to-peer finance, payments, digital assets and tokens, artificial intelligence, blockchain, cryptocurrency, regtech, and insurtech sectors. Join Canada's Fintech & Funding Community today FREE! Or become a contributing member and get perks. For more information, please visit: www.ncfacanada.org
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