The End of the Petrodollar? Why Oil-Rich Nations are Eyeing the Unit

The petrodollar system has underpinned US global hegemony for 50 years. But in 2026, the cracks are widening. With major oil producers like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Iran now inside BRICS+, the "energy-for-dollars" deal is being legacy-tested.

The Rise of the "Petro-Unit"

The BRICS Unit offers energy producers exactly what they need: stability. When oil is sold for Units, the price is partially anchored to gold, protecting the producer's revenue from the wild swings of the US Dollar.

Strategic Adoption Tiers

1. Direct Settlements: UAE and India have already begun pilot trades in non-dollar assets.
2. Reserve Diversification: Central banks are increasingly holding Units alongside gold.
3. Commodity Backing: Potential for future Unit iterations to be backed by a broader basket of commodities including oil and gas.