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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...
Idea to Use Digital Ruble as Reserve Currency Circulated in Sanctioned Russia
20.3.2022
A call to make the digital ruble a reserve currency has been issued in the State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament. Meanwhile, concerns have been raised in the West that the new incarnation of the Russian fiat may be employed to evade sanctions that have been isolating...
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....
US Senators Introduce Crypto Sanctions Bill — Expert Says It’s Overbroad, Unconstitutional
19.3.2022
U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and 10 other lawmakers have introduced the “Digital Asset Sanctions Compliance Enhancement Act of 2022.” The bill “would place sweeping restrictions on persons who build, operate, and use cryptocurrency networks even if they have no knowledge...
Bank of Russia Allows Sberbank to Issue Digital Financial Assets
18.3.2022
Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, has been authorized by the country’s monetary policy regulator to issue digital financial assets. The move comes amid tightening Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine, including limiting Moscow’s access to the global financial market....
Deutsche Bank to Exit Russia, Says There Will Be No New Business There
13.3.2022
Germany’s Deutsche Bank has become the latest financial services giant to confirm it’s leaving Russia over Moscow’s military assault on Ukraine. The bank has been reducing its Russian exposure since 2014 when Russia annexed Crimea and the conflict in Eastern Ukraine erupted....
US Banking Giants Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Wind Down Business in Russia
13.3.2022
Global investment banks Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase are winding down business in the Russian Federation. The move comes as western sanctions against Moscow over its decision to launch a military invasion of Ukraine continue to expand, supported by leading financial institutions. Goldman Sachs...
UK Watchdog Asks Crypto ATM Providers to Stop Operating or ‘Face Enforcement Action’
13.3.2022
U.K. watchdog, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has told firms running crypto ATMs in the country that they are operating illegally and must therefore shut down their machines. Operators that fail to heed the warning will face enforcement action, the FCA said. Crypto ATM Providers Operating...
Western Union Suspends Operations in Russia, Belarus Over Ukraine War
12.3.2022
Remittance giant Western Union has joined other financial services companies supporting sanctions in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The decision will affect customers in the Russian Federation as well as those in Belarus, an ally of Moscow, backing its military operation. Western...
Chainalysis Launches Screening Tools Designed to Prevent Sanctions Evasion
11.3.2022
Blockchain forensics company Chainalysis is launching two tools that will allow crypto companies to deny sanctioned persons and entities access to their platforms. The move comes amid concerns that Russia may use cryptocurrencies to evade sanctions imposed due to its invasion of Ukraine....
EU Targets Crypto Assets in Widened Sanctions Against Russia, Belarus
10.3.2022
The European Union is extending the scope of sanctions introduced in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the latest agreement between member states specifically mentioning crypto assets. Russian oligarchs, senators and Belarusian banks have been targeted. Europe’s Sanctions...
Why Russian Sanctions Could Push Corporations Towards Crypto
9.3.2022
The sudden disconnection of Russia from the global financial system is a moment for reflection. But economic fragmentation has a cost
Senator Warren seizes on fears over crypto and sanctions with new bill
9.3.2022
If passed, Elizabeth Warren’s new draft crypto bill will require local crypto exchanges to submit “detailed records” to the Treasury Department of customers' identities and transfers to private crypto wallets
FinCEN Issues ‘Red Flags’ on Potential Sanctions Evasion Using Cryptocurrency
9.3.2022
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued an advisory on Russian efforts to evade sanctions that includes a number of crypto-related red flags. However, the bureau admitted that it has not seen “widespread evasion” of its sanctions using cryptocurrency. FinCEN Warns...
Report: LBMA Asks 6 Russian Gold Refiners if They Have Ties to Sanctioned Entities
7.3.2022
The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) said it wants six accredited Russian gold refiners to clarify if they have commercial ties with sanctioned Russian entities. The association’s request comes a few days after it revoked the membership of three sanctioned Russian banks. LBMA...
Visa and Mastercard Suspend Operations in Russia as Part of Sanctions Over Ukraine
7.3.2022
The world’s leading payment processors Visa and Mastercard have joined sanctions against Russia over its military invasion of Ukraine. The American companies announced suspension of operations in the Russian Federation although Russians will be able to use their cards inside the country....
Binance, Coinbase Explain Why Cryptocurrency Won’t Help Russia Evade Sanctions
7.3.2022
The chief executives of two major cryptocurrency exchanges, Binance and Coinbase, do not believe that cryptocurrency is an effective tool to help Russia evade Western sanctions. CEOs of Binance and Coinbase Say Crypto Not Useful at Evading Sanctions Since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine...
Paypal Joins Other Payment and Remittance Providers Suspending Services in Russia
6.3.2022
A number of payment and remittance platforms, now including Paypal, have restricted access to their services in Russia as western sanctions over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine continue to expand. Fintech companies have been limiting operations in the Russian Federation also in response...
Bitcoin Is Helping Both Sides in Ukraine War, But It Won’t Wreck Russian Sanctions
6.3.2022
Gavin Brown, Associate Professor in Financial Technology, the University of Liverpool._____
War is expensive. The United States spent about USD 1.1tn on the 2003 Iraq war in today’s money, while the Falklands war cost the UK the equivalent of about GBP 2.6bn (USD 3.4bn). ...
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Russia Proceeds With Efforts to Legalize Crypto Amid Sanctions Over Ukraine
5.3.2022
Authorities in Russia are continuing their work to establish a comprehensive legal framework for crypto transactions. The efforts, which started before the military invasion of Ukraine, go on amid warnings that Moscow may use cryptocurrencies to evade expanding financial sanctions. Expert Council...