Robert Kiyosaki, the author of "Rich Dad Poor Dad," says the US dollar could lose its top spot as the world’s reserve currency.
Kiyosaki’s View on the Dollar
He believes that as more countries move away from using dollars, especially the BRICS nations, the greenback may become a failing reserve currency. He warns that people who keep their savings in dollars could see the value of their wealth disappear.
Historical Examples He Cites
- In 2000, Iraq tried to price its oil in euros. Three years later, the US invaded Iraq, and oil pricing switched back to dollars.
- In 2009, Libya’s leader Gaddafi wanted a gold‑backed African currency that would let countries buy oil without dollars. After NATO intervened in 2011 and Gaddafi was killed, the plan vanished and Libyan oil returned to dollar pricing.
These episodes, he says, show how the “petrodollar” system has been protected by military and economic pressure.
BRICS Moving Away from the Dollar
China, Russia, India, Brazil, South Africa and new members like Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Indonesia, the UAE and Saudi Arabia are trading a growing share of their internal commerce in their own currencies. Russia says about 90% of its trade with China uses rubles and yuan.
When dozens of countries trade without dollars, it becomes harder for any military force to enforce a dollar‑only system.
Gold Buying as a Safety Net
Central banks around the world have been buying more gold, a sign they want assets that aren’t tied to the dollar. Goldman Sachs expects central banks to buy about 70 tonnes of gold each month in 2026 – four times the average before 2022.
BRICS nations now control roughly half of global gold production and hold over 6,000 tonnes of official gold reserves. Russia and China each hold more than 2,000 tonnes; India has over 800 tonnes.
What This Could Mean for US Savers
The US dollar index fell 9.4% in 2025, its biggest drop in eight years. If the dollar loses its reserve status, large amounts of dollars held abroad could rush back to the US, expanding the money supply and lowering purchasing power – a pattern seen when past reserve currencies, like the British pound, lost dominance.
Takeaway
Kiyosaki’s message is clear: the shift toward local currencies and gold by the BRICS bloc could erode the dollar’s global grip, and ordinary savers might see the value of their dollar‑denominated assets shrink.
Disclaimer
Remember, this is perspective, not prediction. Do your own research and talk to a qualified financial adviser before making any investment decisions.