Russia’s central bank, along with the directive of the nation’s president, Vladimir Putin, has submitted proposals to the government to allow a limited group of local investors to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. According to the announcement, the initiative could first be in a three-year experimental regime. The banking institution’s idea is to enable crypto trading...Read More
Russia has reportedly turned to cryptocurrencies to facilitate its oil trade with India and China, using digital assets to circumvent Western sanctions. While fiat currencies like the UAE dirham still dominate the majority of transactions, digital assets are becoming a small but growing component of the country’s energy trade. Deepening Crypto Adoption The development was...Read More
Rosseti Group, Russia’s power grid company, reported losses exceeding 1.3 billion rubles – which is worth around $14.2 million – in 2024 due to unauthorized cryptocurrency mining operations, also known as “black” mining firms. As per a report by state-owned news agency TASS, damages were widespread across the company’s electrical networks. Illegal Mining Strains Russia’s...Read More
Russian national Alexander Vinnik, previously convicted for running a multi-billion-dollar money-laundering operation through his BTC-e crypto exchange, has been released in a prisoner exchange between Russia and the United States. In return, Moscow freed American schoolteacher Marc Fogel, who had been detained on drug charges. Vinnik’s Role in BTC-e and Legal Troubles Vinnik operated the...Read More
Deribit has officially announced its departure from the Russian market due to sanctions imposed by the European Union. The crypto exchange, which operates under Dutch regulations, stated that it can no longer offer services to Russian nationals and residents unless they meet specific conditions. These exceptions include Russian citizens who also hold citizenship in an...Read More
Rosseti Group – Russia’s leading electric grid operator – has announced its interest in becoming an operator for hosting mining infrastructure. The company told TASS that this initiative focuses on utilizing underloaded power supply centers, improving capacity utilization, and fostering economic growth. Rosseti Targets Crypto Mining to Use Idle Power According to the report, Rosseti’s...Read More
Russian authorities are reportedly looking to liquidate a major Bitcoin stash seized during investigations into an international cybercrime gang that operated between October 2010 and February 2018. According to local reports, the government will initially dispose of about $10 million worth of BTC and plan to sell more than 1,000 BTC, which are currently valued...Read More
Governments and central banks, from the United States to Switzerland, are giving Bitcoin serious consideration as an alternative to traditional reserve assets, with the Czech Republic being one of the latest to signal interest. The governor of the Czech National Bank (ČNB), Aleš Michl, has floated Bitcoin as a potential diversification strategy for the country’s...Read More
The incoming second Donald Trump administration has extensive plans to cement US leadership in developing blockchain cryptocurrencies and delivering their products to markets. Meanwhile, Russia is using Bitcoin to conduct commerce outside the traditional finance channels in the face of international sanctions. While these developments certainly bear strategic adversarial overtones, the way Bitcoin changes the...Read More
Bitcoin is becoming a critical asset in geopolitics, with several countries competing to build national reserves which will potentially reshape their financial sovereignty. While the global push for Bitcoin grows, skeptics are becoming advocates, Japan remains hesitant to join the trend. Japan Cautious About Bitcoin Reserves According to a report by local news outlet CoinJP,...Read More
Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov revealed on Wednesday that domestic firms are now utilizing Bitcoin and other digital assets for international payments, which is enabled by recent legislative adjustments designed to offset Western sanctions. It is important to note that these sanctions have posed challenges to Russia’s trade with significant partners such as China and...Read More
The Russian government has extended its winter ban on local crypto mining operations to six years as energy consumption in the country rises to alarming levels. About a month ago, the government ordered crypto mining entities to pause their operations for the winter season. However, the ban has now been extended. According to a report...Read More
Anton Tkachev, a State Duma deputy from the New People Party, has formally proposed establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve in Russia. Tkachev sent an appeal to Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov urging an assessment of the feasibility of creating such a reserve. Arguments in Support of the Initiative The document, cited by local media, highlights...Read More
A Russian court has sentenced Stanislav Moiseev, the leader of the notorious online drug marketplace Hydra, to life in prison alongside a fine of four million rubles (approximately $37,500). Fifteen other members of the group received prison terms ranging from eight to 23 years and were collectively fined 16 million rubles worth around $150,000.The charges...Read More
Russia is one step closer to implementing a comprehensive framework for taxing cryptocurrency transactions and mining. Its Federation Council approved a federal bill on November 27, following its passage in the State Duma. The legislation, which awaits President Vladimir Putin’s signature to become law, classifies digital currencies as property and exempts crypto transactions from value-added...Read More
In an effort to tackle electricity shortages, Russian officials disclosed plans to suspend cryptocurrency mining in several regions this winter. The ban will impact the Irkutsk region, portions of Buryatia, the Zabaikalsky region in Siberia, and six North Caucasus areas, including Chechnya and Dagestan. Mining will also be prohibited in the Russian-controlled Ukrainian regions of...Read More
A high-profile Russian influencer, popularly known as the “Queen of Crypto,” is under scrutiny for allegedly defrauding investors out of $22 million. According to various reports in the Russian press, Valeria Fedyakina, who made a name for herself as “Bitmama,” is accused of operating a pyramid scheme that ensnared multiple victims in only two months....Read More
Russia has sentenced Marat Tambiyev, a former mid-ranking investigator, to 16 years in jail after he was caught accepting a bribe of 1,032 bitcoins, which is currently worth around $65 million, from hackers he was investigating. The bribe originated from members of the Infraud Organization hacking group, which Tambiyev was tasked with probing while working...Read More
U.S. authorities have charged Russian citizens Sergey Sergeevich Ivanov and Timur Shakhmametov for allegedly operating a cryptocurrency money laundering service tied to Russian cybercrime. The U.S. Department of State has issued a $10 million bounty for information leading to the arrest or conviction of each. International Crackdown on Russian Cybercrime The United States Treasury, in...Read More
The Russian government will soon start trials on cryptocurrency exchanges and digital token usage for cross-border transactions. According to a Bloomberg report, they are scheduled to begin on September 1 and are aimed at alleviating payment difficulties for local companies dealing with international sanctions. Crypto Trials The tests will focus on swapping between rubles and...Read More
According to a Bloomberg Report, Russia will soon legalize the use of cryptocurrencies for payments. This move is aimed at easing the growing difficulties faced by companies in making foreign payments due to U.S. sanctions over the war in Ukraine. Details on the New Bill and Legislation On Tuesday, Lawmakers in the State Duma, Russia’s...Read More
Russian-speaking threat actors who come from former Soviet Union are the primary drivers of various types of crypto-related cybercrime, including ransomware, illegal crypto exchanges, and darknet markets, according to the latest report by TRM Labs. In fact, ransomware groups that speak Russian were also found to be responsible for at least 69% of all ransomware...Read More
The global crypto trading volume is projected to surpass $108 trillion this year, reflecting an increase of nearly 90% compared to 2022, as reported by CoinWire. Europe has taken the lead in this growing market, representing 37.32% of total crypto transaction value, and is projected to see a 2.7-fold increase this year from 2022. Russia...Read More
Amid rising geopolitical tensions and sanctions, Russia is reportedly preparing to enact a strict ban on the widespread trading of cryptocurrency assets like Bitcoin, allowing only digital financial assets to be issued within its own jurisdiction. This move is part of a broader government effort to regulate the cryptocurrency ecosystem. Only miners and projects approved...Read More
Wally Adeyemo, Undersecretary of the U.S. Treasury, released an official statement saying Russia is increasingly resorting to alternative payment methods, such as the stablecoin Tether (USDT), to evade sanctions and sustain its military operations. The hearing, titled “Countering Illicit Finance, Terrorism, and Sanctions Evasion,” marks the committee’s second discussion on the topic within the last...Read More
The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has escalated its enforcement efforts by tightening its grip on individuals and entities operating within the financial services and technology sectors in Russia, particularly those involved in virtual assets, enabling evasion of US sanctions. The enforcement agency claimed that these individuals and entities played a crucial role in...Read More
CommEX, a crypto exchange that previously took over Binance’s operations in Russia after it decided to exit the country, has revealed its intention to cease operations in the country. Binance had initially announced its departure from Russia in September 2023, stating that the process would take approximately one year to complete. CommEX Announces Gradual Wind-Down...Read More
Russia, a member of the BRICS alliance, announced the development of a new blockchain-based payment system to revolutionize trade settlements. The system is set to become an independent mechanism for conducting transactions among BRICS member nations. Blockchain-Based Payment System Plans The BRICS alliance, consisting of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, plans to collaborate...Read More
Mikhail Klyukin, a Russian banker sanctioned by the White House in March 2022, sold more than £15m in shares of UK-based cryptocurrency firm Copper Technologies. The firm, chaired by former Chancellor Philip Hammond, appears to have played a significant role in the decision, raising questions about the transparency of cryptocurrency transactions and potential evasion of...Read More
Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has announced the suspension of Russian ruble (RUB) deposits starting from November 15, 2023. This decision by the company comes following its recent announcement regarding the sale of its entire Russian business to CommEX. Binance to Cease Russian Ruble Deposits In a November 10 announcement, Binance said it would be stopping Russian...Read More
