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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 –...
Bank of Russia Aims for Full Launch of Digital Ruble in 2024
14.8.2022
The Central Bank of Russia plans to begin the comprehensive implementation of the digital ruble two years from now, according to a paper detailing its monetary policy priorities for the 2023 – 2025 period. As the development of the state-issued digital currency continues, the monetary...
Crypto Exchange BTC-e Operator Vinnik Reportedly Denied Bail in US, Maintains Innocence
14.8.2022
Alexander Vinnik, the alleged owner and operator of the infamous cryptocurrency exchange BTC-e, has been found not eligible for release on bail in the United States, where he was recently transferred from Greece. The Russian, accused of large-scale money laundering through the now-defunct trading...
Alleged BTC-e Operator Alexander Vinnik in US Custody After Immediate Extradition From Greece
6.8.2022
Russian IT specialist Alexander Vinnik, accused of owning and running the infamous crypto exchange BTC-e, has been handed over to the U.S. This week, Greek authorities proceeded with the extradition, after his return from France, despite Vinnik’s defense protesting the move and calling...
Vinnik to Be ‘Hostage’ in US Amid Russia’s War in Ukraine, Greek Lawyer Says
1.8.2022
If extradited to the United States, crypto exchange BTC-e’s alleged operator Alexander Vinnik will become a “hostage” due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to his Greek lawyer. France is likely to send the Russian back to Greece soon and Zoe Konstantopoulou...
Chainalysis Report Says $2.2 Million in Crypto Has Been Sent to Pro-Russian Groups in Ukraine
29.7.2022
According to a report stemming from the blockchain intelligence company Chainalysis, the firm identified 54 pro-Russian groups that have “collectively received over $2.2 million worth of cryptocurrency.” The paramilitary groups in Ukraine primarily received bitcoin and ether donations...
Pro-Russian groups raised only 4% of crypto donations sent to Ukraine
29.7.2022
“While significant, the $2.2M worth of crypto donated to pro-Russian orgs still pales in comparison to the tens of millions in crypto donated to Ukraine,” said Chainalysis
Moscow, Karelia, Irkutsk — Study Lists Most Popular Crypto Mining Destinations in Russia
27.7.2022
Russia could be a large player in the crypto mining space, experts in the field have established in research naming the most attractive regions for coin minting operations in the country. The capital Moscow is among the popular mining destinations alongside the places offering the cheapest power....
Russia Gears Up to Regulate NFTs Through Legislative Amendments
27.7.2022
Authorities in Russia are preparing a number of changes to existing laws in order to adopt rules for the country’s market for non-fungible tokens, or NFTs. A working group has discussed the matter and proposed solutions to legally define and regulate transactions with the digital...
Latvian Artist Threatened With Prison for Money Laundering Through NFTs
26.7.2022
An artist from Latvia is under investigation for allegedly selling NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, to launder money, for which he may get up to 12 years in prison. The authorities have blocked his bank accounts and launched an investigation without even notifying him. Artist Who Sold Over 3,500 NFTs...
Chess Robot Breaks Seven Year Old's Finger, Tourney Official Blames Kid
25.7.2022
Last week a child was playing chess against a robot when, in the words of one official, something “of course bad” happened. According to Russian media reports and a video of the incident, the robot pinched the seven-year-old’s finger and fractured it. Not great!Read more
Russia’s Media Censor Roskomnadzor Unblocks Tor Project’s Website
23.7.2022
Russian telecom and mass media watchdog Roskomnadzor has restored access to the website of the Tor Project, implementing a court ruling with delay. The site was blacklisted last year but the measure was successfully challenged by lawyers. Roskomnadzor Removes Tor Project’s Site From...
US Withdraws Request to Extradite BTC-e’s Vinnik From France, Lawyer Sees ‘Deceitful Maneuver’
23.7.2022
U.S. authorities have withdrawn their request to extradite the alleged operator of crypto exchange BTC-e Alexander Vinnik from France, his French lawyer informed Russian media. Vinnik’s defense suspects, however, that the move is intended to actually speed up his extradition through Greece....
Russian Teams Won't Be In FIFA 23
22.7.2022
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine earlier this year, publisher Electronic Arts decided to remove all Russian sides from FIFA 22. They won’t have to do the same for FIFA 23, because those teams are never making it into the game in the first place.Read more
Masked Men Rob Large Crypto Mining Farm Near Moscow
21.7.2022
Armed robbers have plundered a large crypto mining facility not far from the Russian capital, local media reported. The unidentified perpetrators stole dozens of video cards in the latest incident involving theft of coin minting hardware, which has been on the rise in Russia. Unknown Attackers...
Gold ‘Clearly Turned Bearish’ Says Societe Generale as TD Securities Strategists Expect Further Downside
20.7.2022
According to market analysts, the precious metal gold is officially in a bear market and prices could remain suppressed over the next few weeks. Moreover, while the macroeconomic backdrop has been gloomy, the popular safe haven asset has lost 17.50% in value against the U.S. dollar during the last...
Digital Token Issued In Russia to Facilitate Investments in Palladium
20.7.2022
Transactions with digital assets backed by precious metals are beginning in Russia with the launch of a token for palladium. The rare metal, which is used in jewelry and has some high-tech applications, is not a publicly available asset in the Russian Federation. Atomyze and Rosbank Issue Digital...
Russian Activists Turn to Crypto for Donations to Aid Ukraine Refugees
18.7.2022
“For Russian citizens, sending money to help Ukrainians might not be safe” through the banking system, says one volunteer
Over Half of This Year’s Financial Pyramids in Russia Involved Crypto, Bank of Russia Finds
17.7.2022
A majority of the financial pyramids identified in 2022 used cryptocurrencies in one way or another, Russia’s central bank announced in a new report. Amid Western sanctions, Russian scams have stepped up their activities, often claiming to be licensed by foreign authorities to offer access...
Putin Signs Law Prohibiting Payments With Digital Assets in Russia
15.7.2022
President Vladimir Putin of Russia has signed into law a bill banning payments with digital financial assets. The legislation obliges exchange operators to refuse to process transactions facilitating the use of DFAs, a legal category currently covering cryptocurrencies, as “monetary...