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China-Russia Alliance Expands, Elevating US Risks in Asia and Middle East
30.9.2024
Frederick Kempe, CEO of the Atlantic Council, highlighted two pressing concerns at the UN General Assembly: the intensifying China-Russia partnership and doubts over US leadership. Alongside former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, he warned of mounting global threats, comparing today’s risks...
Select Group of Russian Firms Authorized to Use Crypto for Chinese Imports Amid Sanctions
29.9.2024
A select group of Russian companies, including electronics producers and financial institutions, has received approval to use cryptocurrencies for Chinese imports under a pilot legal framework. Overseen by Russia’s central bank and the Ministry of Finance, this initiative targets firms handling...
US License Expiration Imperils Russia-China Trade in Chinese Yuan
29.9.2024
A U.S. license allowing transactions with key players in Russia’s financial system expires on Oct. 12. This could make it harder and more expensive for Russian businesses to trade with China in yuan. The yuan is currently the most traded foreign currency in Russia after Western sanctions...
Global Effort Disrupts Russia Linked Network Using Crypto to Evade Sanctions, U.S. Charges Two Russians
27.9.2024
Russian nationals Sergey Ivanov and Timur Shakhmametov have been charged for their involvement in operating money laundering services that catered to cybercriminals using cryptocurrencies, U.S. authorities announced on Thursday
Binance continues to serve Russian users despite 2023 exit
26.9.2024
A spokesperson confirmed that Binance continues to serve a “limited number of existing Russian users” a year after announcing its full exit from Russia
North Korea Signals Closer BRICS Relations Amid Growing Russia Ties
25.9.2024
North Korea may be ramping up efforts to align itself with the BRICS economic bloc, as its top diplomat skipped the United Nations General Assembly in favor of a BRICS-related event. Analysts suggest that while Kim Jong-un seeks to break diplomatic isolation through such alliances, North...
Lavrov Says He Agrees With Donald Trump on US Sanctions Weakening Dollar’s Status
23.9.2024
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has backed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks about the negative effects of U.S. sanctions on the dollar and the American economy. Lavrov agreed that sanctions imposed by the Biden administration have weakened the dollar’s global reserve...
BRICS Payment Platforms Gain Momentum as US Dollar Alternatives, Says Russian Official
17.9.2024
BRICS’ new payment platforms, which offer alternatives to the U.S. dollar and euro, are attracting global attention, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. These systems enable countries to conduct economic activities without relying on currencies used as political tools...
Over $55 Billion in Settlements Between Russia and Turkey Potentially Disrupted by Recent Western Sanctions
10.9.2024
Trade settlements between Russia and Turkey via bank transfers are now being disrupted due to the new sanctions enacted against Russia. According to Russian media, the U.S. is currently checking all sources of transfers to and from Russia, and bank headquarters are heavily scrutinizing Russian...
Russia Expands Digital Ruble Pilot With New Features: Widespread Use Expected in 2025
9.9.2024
Russia’s central bank is expanding its digital currency pilot program, involving 9,000 individuals and 1,200 companies. New features for the digital ruble, including payments via QR code, will be tested. Full-scale implementation is expected by late 2025. According to officials, demand...
Russian Economy Sees Growth Despite Western Sanctions and Declining Imports
2.9.2024
The Russian economy has experienced substantial growth across various sectors, with unemployment rates remaining historically low, despite ongoing Western sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict. Industrial production, driven by military manufacturing, saw a 3.3% increase in July, and the...
Russia Set to Launch Crypto Payment Trials Next Week, Report
27.8.2024
Russia is reportedly set to start trials for cryptocurrency exchanges and digital token payments on Sept. 1 to mitigate payment difficulties caused by international sanctions. These trials will involve the National Payment Card System and could lead to the establishment of crypto trading platforms...
Latam Insights Encore: El Salvador’s Proposal Opens the Door for Crypto-Based International Settlements
6.8.2024
Welcome to Latam Insights Encore, a deep dive into Latin America’s most relevant economic and cryptocurrency-based news from last week. In this edition, we discuss the recent proposal from El Salvador to settle their trade transactions with Russia using crypto, and how this might encourage...
Iran Backs Russia on BRICS Single Currency Initiative
3.8.2024
Iran plans to support Russia’s initiatives on creating a BRICS single currency and expanding national currency payments within the bloc, according to Iran’s Ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali. The BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) are exploring the creation of a...
Russia to Initiate Crypto Payments Internationally by Year-End, Central Bank Governor Says
31.7.2024
Russia plans to launch international cryptocurrency payments by the end of the year to counter Western sanctions, according to the governor of the Bank of Russia. The central bank is prepared to be flexible and is already discussing the conditions of this initiative with various ministries...
EU Targets Crypto Asset Providers Accused of Aiding Russia in Warfare Against Ukraine
26.6.2024
The most recent European Union sanctions against the Kremlin prohibit Eurozone operators from engaging with crypto asset providers that facilitate transactions supporting Russia’s defence-industrial base. Additionally, the new sanctions regime forbids Eurozone operators from utilizing...
US Treasury Expands Sanctions to Cripple Russian War Economy
14.6.2024
The U.S. Treasury Department announced Wednesday that over 300 new sanctions have been issued to intensify pressure on Russia for its ongoing war against Ukraine. These measures, in alignment with G7 commitments, target entities and individuals globally to cripple Russia’s military-industrial base...
US Lawmakers Urge Treasury Action on Russian Crypto Exchange Sanctions Evasion
16.5.2024
U.S. Congressman Gabe Amo (D-RI), along with Congressmen Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), sent a letter to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen regarding the Moscow-based cryptocurrency exchange Garantex. They expressed concerns that Garantex is reportedly facilitating sanctions...
UK, US Probe $20B in USDT Transfers by Sanctioned Russian Crypto Exchange
29.3.2024
The U.K. and the U.S. are reviewing tether transactions, valued at $20 billion, processed by the sanctioned cryptocurrency exchange Garantex. Digital currency transactions and crude oil sales are believed to be a significant source of foreign currency for Russia. Russia Sanctions Busting The U.K....
Russia Open to the Use of Crypto in Foreign Trade Says Central Bank Governor
1.2.2024
The Russian Central Bank is discussing the possible use of central bank digital currencies as a payment method in foreign trade, according to Elvira Nabiullina, the bank’s governor. Nabiullina stated that while Russia is opposed to the use of crypto payments in domestic transactions, the country...