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Russian Crypto Mining Giant Bitriver Considers Challenging US Sanctions
12.5.2022
Russia’s Bitriver, one of the largest operators of crypto mining data centers, may take legal action against the U.S. over the decision to place it under sanctions. The company insists it does not help the Russian government to circumvent international restrictions. Bitriver Rejects...
Independent Russian News Site Meduza Raises Over $200,000 in Crypto
11.5.2022
Pressure from the Kremlin and sanctions from the West have forced Russian news outlet Meduza to increasingly rely on cryptocurrency donations to fund its independent journalism. As the restrictions imposed over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine have prevented its Russian readers from contributing...
Majority of Russia’s Financial Pyramids in Q1 Linked to Crypto, Scammers Exploit Sanctions Topic
8.5.2022
Many of the financial pyramids identified in Russia during the first quarter of the year have been associated with cryptocurrencies, a top central bank official has revealed. Fraudsters are actively exploiting the hot topics of the day, including the sanctions theme. Pyramids Offer Russian...
Moody’s: Cryptocurrencies Unlikely to Help Russia Evade Sanctions
7.5.2022
Russia’s ability to employ cryptocurrencies to circumvent international sanctions is restricted by the limited size of the crypto market, according to Moody’s. Despite increased use in small transactions, low liquidity is another factor preventing Russians from exploiting the utility...
Bankoff Crypto Cards Suspended Amid High Volume of Russian Transactions
5.5.2022
Bankoff, a platform offering virtual cards that could be topped up with cryptocurrency, has told customers its cards are no longer supported by payment systems Visa and Stripe. They allowed Russians to pay abroad after major processors restricted their services in the country. Visa and Stripe Halt...
Bank of Russia to Pilot Digital Ruble Settlements in 2023
25.4.2022
Russia’s monetary authority intends to conduct the first settlements with the digital ruble next year, its governor announced this week. Speaking to Russian lawmakers, the official highlighted the important role the new currency is going to play for Russia under sanctions. Russia to Trial...
Leading Eastern European Exchange Exmo Sells Business in Russia, Belarus
25.4.2022
Exmo, a U.K.-based crypto exchange with extensive presence in Eastern Europe, is pulling out of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan. The trading platform, Exmo.com, says it’s making the move to avoid jeopardizing its expansion in other regions by operating in high-risk markets like these....
Report Says Binance Shared Client Data With Russia, Crypto Exchange Denies Allegations
23.4.2022
Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has been accused in a media report of agreeing to provide user data to Russia’s financial watchdog. The trading platform has refuted the allegations. It also insists it’s complying with Western sanctions imposed over Moscow’s invasion...
Sanctioned Russia, Iran May Turn to Crypto Mining to Monetize Energy, IMF Says
20.4.2022
Nations like Russia and Iran may utilize cryptocurrency mining to monetize their energy resources and circumvent sanctions, the International Monetary Fund predicts in a report. Repercussions of the war in Ukraine continue to reverberate globally and cryptoization is one of the effects, the...
Digital Ruble ‘Much Needed,’ Russia’s Central Bank Says, Won’t Delay Testing
19.4.2022
The Central Bank of Russia has emphasized the importance of moving forward with its digital ruble project. According to a statement by a top representative, the monetary authority has no intention to delay the trials despite not all invited banks being ready to participate yet. Bank of Russia...
Russian Chamber of Commerce Suggests Using Cryptocurrencies in Settlements With Africa
14.4.2022
Employing crypto in cross-border payments is one of the proposals put forward by the Russian Chamber Of Commerce lobbying for more cooperation with African countries. Amid unprecedented sanctions limiting Russia’s ability to trade internationally, the head of the board has urged...
Cryptocurrencies Carry Systemic Risks, Threaten Ruble, Bank of Russia Insists
13.4.2022
The spread of cryptocurrencies brings significant risks for Russia’s economy, financial stability, and national fiat, the monetary authority in Moscow has reiterated. The central bank has reaffirmed its hardline stance on decentralized digital money in a new report published as...
EU Bans High-Value Crypto Services to Russia in New Round of Sanctions
10.4.2022
European institutions are closing crypto loopholes for Russia with the latest package of penalties imposed by the EU over Moscow’s aggression against Ukraine. The new sanctions prohibit the provision of “high-value” crypto-asset services to Russian entities and residents....
Bank of Russia Rejects Idea of Using Cryptocurrency to Circumvent Sanctions
7.4.2022
The Central Bank of Russia has turned down a proposal to allow the use of digital currencies for the purpose of sanctions evasion. The monetary authority believes this is hardly an option as Western regulators are already taking steps to prevent such transactions. Employing Bitcoin to Evade...
Russia’s Sberbank Denies Involvement in Recently Launched ‘Sbercoin’
6.4.2022
Sberbank, the largest bank in the Russian Federation, has denied connection to a new cryptocurrency called “sbercoin.” The project is offering high returns to buyers of the token, which was launched shortly after Bank of Russia allowed Sberbank to issue digital currencies. Sbercoin...
Yellen alleges crypto has not been used for significant Russian sanctions evasion so far
6.4.2022
The U.S. Treasury secretary emphasized the department’s crypto monitoring efforts at a House Financial Services Committee hearing Wednesday
Japan Considers Stricter Crypto Regulations in Light of Russia Sanctions
1.4.2022
Authorities in Japan are planning to introduce tougher new rules for crypto operators as part of efforts to prevent Russia from using cryptocurrencies to evade sanctions. The legislative initiative comes after Tokyo asked digital asset exchanges to strengthen transactions monitoring this month....
Anonymous Affiliate Hacks State-Run Russian Broadcaster
31.3.2022
NB65, a hacking group affiliated with the Anonymous collective, has allegedly breached the servers of the Russian government-controlled television and radio broadcasting company. According to social media reports, the hackers are preparing to release hundreds of gigabytes of appropriated data....
Russian Prime Minister, Economy Ministry Support Legalization of Cryptocurrencies
27.3.2022
Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and the Russian Ministry of Economic Development have backed efforts to regulate cryptocurrencies and integrate them into the country’s economy. The support comes amid mounting sanctions over the war in Ukraine which restrict Russia’s access to global...
ECB Chief: Cryptocurrencies Are ‘Certainly’ Being Used to Circumvent Russian Sanctions
23.3.2022
The European Central Bank (ECB) warns cryptocurrencies are being used to evade sanctions by Russians. ECB President Christine Lagarde warns crypto firms against becoming “accomplices” in the crime. ECB President Lagarde Is Certain About Crypto Being Used to Evade Russian Sanctions...