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US Asks Japan to Pressure Crypto Exchanges, Miners Working With Russia, Report Unveils
9.7.2022
U.S. diplomats have reportedly called on authorities in Tokyo to increase pressure on Japanese crypto exchanges and miners to sever links to Russia. The request was made to deepen Moscow’s financial isolation amid the ongoing Russian assault on Ukraine. Washington Wants Japan’s Crypto...
Bank of Russia Accelerates Schedule for Digital Ruble Project
26.6.2022
The Central Bank of Russia continues to step up efforts to test and issue the digital ruble, with a roadmap for the full implementation of the new form of the national fiat now expected by the end of 2023. Trials with real transactions and users are scheduled to begin next April, earlier than...
Russia to Trial Digital Ruble Settlements for Real Estate Deals
23.6.2022
The Central Bank of Russia and participating commercial banks want to test various types of payments with the digital ruble, the Russian press reported. The plan is to experiment with smart contracts and transactions related to real estate and crypto asset purchases. Bank of Russia to Launch Smart...
Russian Finance Ministry Rules Out Sale of Oil for Bitcoin
20.6.2022
The Russian government considers bitcoin as a payment option for small business transactions, not for oil exports, the country’s finance ministry has indicated. A top official emphasized the department means that cryptocurrencies may be used in barter deals, but not as legal tender. Crypto...
Russia Developing Sandbox for Cross-border Crypto Payments
15.6.2022
An institute facilitating Russian exports is now working on the establishment of a sandbox for international crypto payments, local media reported. The goal is to identify potential regulatory and technological challenges for settlements with digital assets. Russia Prepares to Test Crypto Payments...
Bank of Russia Steps Up Efforts to Issue Digital Ruble Due to Sanctions
29.5.2022
The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) has accelerated the development of its digital ruble in response to Western sanctions. The monetary authority now intends to pilot transactions with the new version of the national fiat in early 2023 instead of 2024, as originally planned. CBR to Launch...
Russia Considers Using Cryptocurrencies for International Settlements
28.5.2022
Authorities in Russia are mulling over the possible use of digital currencies for international payments, a high-ranking official from the finance ministry has indicated. If recognized as property, he noted, cryptocurrency can be utilized in barter deals with foreign partners. Finance Ministry...
Anonymous Allegedly Hacks Sberbank, Russia’s Largest Bank
20.5.2022
Hacktivist collective Anonymous has allegedly breached the systems of one of the largest financial institutions in Russia, Sberbank. The attackers announced on social media they have published thousands of emails, phone numbers, and addresses. Anonymous Hackers Reportedly Gain Access to Sberbank...
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...