El Salvador - the first country in the world to accept Bitcoin as an official currency - are interested in joining BRICS in the near future. (Source: Interlock News)

The proposal comes after Russia's recent legal changes regarding digital currencies.

Specifically, on July 30, the Russian State Duma (Lower House) passed a law allowing cross-border payments and exchanges using digital currencies to be tested from September 1.

The Central Bank of Russia pledged that the first payments in cryptocurrency in a test mode will be implemented before the end of this year.

The Bank had previously proposed a complete ban on the use of cryptocurrencies, but problems with paying for imports due to secondary sanctions forced Moscow to change course.

El Salvador believes that using cryptocurrencies will simplify commercial transactions, as the USD is the official currency of the Central American country.

Experts say Russia’s legalization of cryptocurrencies could lead to major changes in international trade opportunities within the BRICS bloc, which is trying to de-dollarize. Bitcoin transactions cannot be censored or blocked by any government or bank.

Over the years, de-dollarization has become a focus of BRICS.

The group has sought to increase the use of member countries' currencies, aiming to establish a common BRICS currency as well as a common payment platform to replace the West's SWIFT system.

* Recently, in an interview with Izvestia media, Mr. Alexander Ilyukhin, First Secretary of the Russian Embassy in Nicaragua and El Salvador, said that San Salvador's move could signal increased cooperation.

There are difficulties in transactions between Russia and El Salvador because the US dollar is the official currency in the Central American country, said Alexander Ilyukhin.

In addition, the Russian diplomat said, San Salvador is interested in joining BRICS in the near future.