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Russia to Test Digital Ruble in 11 Cities, Moscow Subway
12.8.2023
Russia’s capital Moscow and 10 other cities will host pilot tests for the digital ruble, Bank of Russia Deputy Governor Olga Skorobogatova announced. Over a dozen Russian banks are going to take part in the trials with real transactions and users scheduled to commence in mid-August. Russia Prepares...
Russian Banks Say Citizens Are ‘Wary’ of CBDC Plans – Digital Ruble Faces Roadblock?
8.8.2023
Russia’s biggest banking association has demanded clarification on Moscow’s CBDC plans, and says citizens are “wary” of the digital ruble.
Per Komersant and BFM, the Association of Russian Banks (ARB) sent a letter to the Central Bank with “a request to clarify certain issues pertaining to...
Russia to Launch Digital Ruble Transactions With Real Users in August
27.7.2023
Banks taking part in the digital ruble pilot will begin testing transactions with actual clients in mid-August, according to a top executive of one of the financial institutions. The trials are set to start weeks after Russia adopted dedicated legislation for the introduction of its new digital...
EU Spokesperson: Russian Banks Will Not Be Reconnected to SWIFT Anytime Soon
23.5.2023
The European Union (EU) has no intention of allowing Russian banks to be reconnected to the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunications (SWIFT) banking system anytime soon. Peter Stano, spokesperson for external affairs of the EU, stated that these restrictions can only be lifted...
Russian Banks Set for Record Profits This Year, Central Bank, Rating Agency Say
3.5.2023
Bank of Russia raised its forecast for the profits of Russian banks in 2023, expecting results that may break the 2021 record. This year’s high numbers are coming after 2022 became the worst annual period in seven years for the sanctioned Russian banking sector in terms of financial outcome. Banks...
Almost 50 Russian Banks Accept Yuan Deposits Amid Low Demand for Dollar Accounts
29.4.2023
A growing number of banking institutions in Russia are offering customers the option to save in Chinese yuan. The trend coincides with declining demand for U.S. dollar and euro deposits amid currency restrictions that triggered a flight of funds to bank accounts abroad. Demand for Dollar, Euro...
Blockchain to Become More Relevant in Payments This Year, Sberbank Exec Says
20.3.2023
Blockchain technology can help solve current issues with settlements, according to the deputy chief executive of Sberbank. Russia’s largest bank is working with other financial institutions to develop blockchain-based payment applications, the banker revealed. Sberbank Sees Solution to Russia’s...
Kucoin and Huobi Are Accused in Report of Enabling Russian Banks to Break Sanctions
27.2.2023
Huobi and KuCoin, two of the world's largest crypto exchanges, have reportedly continued to provide services to customers of sanctioned Russian banks.
The exchanges, both based in Seychelles, failed to take proper measures in order to block traders from transacting with debit cards issued...
Crypto Exchanges Allow Russians to Circumvent Sanctions, Report Alleges
26.2.2023
Major crypto exchanges have failed to prevent sanctioned Russian banks and traders from transacting, according to a blockchain forensics report. At least two established coin trading platforms continue to allow Russians to use their bank cards in peer-to-peer deals, the analysis shows. It also...
CBDC Launch ‘May Cost Russian Banks $684m a Year’
13.2.2023
Russian commercial banks will lose $684 million a year if the nation’s Central Bank launches a central bank digital currency (CBDC), experts have claimed.
The Central Bank vehemently opposes the adoption of what it calls “private cryptocurrencies” such as bitcoin (BTC). But the bank wants...
Banks in Russia to Lose $700 Million a Year Due to Digital Ruble, Experts Say
3.2.2023
Russian banks may be the main losers from the introduction of a digital ruble while retailers will save on acquiring fees, analysts have predicted. The benefits for consumers using the new digital currency are not that obvious as they may not be paid any interest or cashback. Launch of Russia’s...
Ukraine’s Financial Watchdog Reports Blocking Russian Crypto Exchanges
22.1.2023
The financial monitoring agency of Ukraine has restricted access to a number of online crypto exchangers operating out of Russia. Some of the coin trading platforms are working with sanctioned Russian banks, the regulatory body announced in a report. Ukrainian Financial Authorities Target Russian...
Russia to Ban Banks From Using Messengers Like Telegram to Contact Customers
25.12.2022
Financial institutions in Russia will not be able to communicate with clients through instant messengers based outside the country, local media revealed. A new law passed by the State Duma also prohibits banks from using chats to send personal data and payment documents. Bill Restricts Russian...
Bank of Russia Adds Digital Assets to Banking Chart of Accounts
3.10.2022
Central Bank of Russia has introduced digital assets, including the digital version of the Russian ruble, to the recently published draft of the new banking chart of accounts. In the future, financial institutions will be able to provide data about operations with these assets. Russian Banks...
Bank of Russia Eases Restrictions on Purchases of Dollar and Euro Cash
28.8.2022
The Central Bank of Russia has relaxed some limitations for Russian banks selling U.S. dollars and euros to the public. The increased supply of foreign cash may affect the crypto market in the country as currency restrictions have been a driver of increased demand for digital coins. Monetary...
Russian Banks to ‘Start Handling Digital Ruble by 2024’
16.8.2022
A Russian central bank digital currency (CBDC) could be around the corner, with commercial banks in the country now being told by the central bank to prepare to handle a digital ruble within the next two years.
According to a document dated August 11 and issued by the Bank of Russia –...
Russian Blockchain Alternative to SWIFT to Prevent Disconnection of Nations, Banks
13.7.2022
A Russian university is ready to test its blockchain-based analogue to the global payment messaging network SWIFT, from which Russian banks were cut off as part of Western sanctions. The developers say their system would not allow the disconnecting of countries and banks. Russian Developers Create...
Russia’s Industrial Giant Rostec Announces Blockchain-Based Alternative to SWIFT
4.6.2022
Rostec, the Russian manufacturing and technology conglomerate, has developed a system allowing the processing of international settlements and storage of digital currency. The blockchain-based platform has been announced as an alternative to SWIFT, which is unavailable for some Russian banks....
Russian Bankers Suggest Criminalizing Crypto Storage in Non-Custodial Wallets
20.4.2022
Keeping cryptocurrencies in non-custodial wallets may be criminalized in Russia, if authorities accept a proposal from the trade association representing Russian banks. While financial regulators think the idea deserves attention, lawmakers and experts doubt it’s possible to implement such...
Russian Banks Told to Track Crypto-Related Transactions Amid Currency Restrictions
19.3.2022
Bank of Russia has recommended commercial banks pay heightened attention to their clients’ transactions related to cryptocurrencies. The regulator requires the financial institutions to monitor such activity against the backdrop of restrictions on currency operations amid western sanctions....