French Court Extends Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s Police Custody

French prosecutors have announced that an investigative judge extended the police custody of Pavel Durov, CEO of Telegram, on Monday evening for up to 48 hours. After that, French authorities must either release or charge him. Durov was detained on Saturday at Le Bourget airport amid a judicial investigation launched last month concerning 12 alleged … Read more

Russia Set to Launch Crypto Payment Trials Next Week, Report

Russia is reportedly set to start trials for cryptocurrency exchanges and digital token payments on Sept. 1 to mitigate payment difficulties caused by international sanctions. These trials will involve the National Payment Card System and could lead to the establishment of crypto trading platforms if successful. Legislation was recently passed to legalize crypto mining and … Read more

Russia Seeks Clarification From France on Telegram CEO Pavel Durov’s Arrest

The Russian Foreign Ministry has disclosed that its embassy in France has sought clarification on the detention of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov. The embassy stated that it aims to protect his rights, but France has been uncooperative. Durov’s arrest has sparked controversy, with Russian officials labeling him a political prisoner. Russia Seeks Answers on Telegram … Read more

China and Russia Push for Increased Local Currency Use in Trade, Deepen BRICS Cooperation

China and Russia solidified their cooperation in currency, finance, and within the BRICS framework following a meeting between Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. They committed to local currency use, payment infrastructure, and mutual investments, while also advancing collaboration in artificial intelligence, sustainable development, and global governance. China and Russia Strengthen … Read more

Russian Finance Minister Discloses That Over 90% of Bilateral Trade With China Is Settled Outside the U.S. Dollar System

Anton Siluanov, the Russian Finance Minister, pointed out that a majority of the bilateral trade with China is being conducted outside the U.S. dollar system. He stressed that over 90% of these transactions have been completed using national currencies (rubles and yuan) due to the risks associated with executing these using “unfriendly” currencies. Russian Finance … Read more

India and Russia to Enhance Trade With Rupee-Ruble Payments

India and Russia are discussing ways to enhance bilateral trade by adopting payments in their national currencies and reducing non-tariff barriers. The talks aim to facilitate rupee-ruble trade and address trade imbalances, particularly as petroleum dominates current transactions. With a significant trade deficit favoring Russia, both nations seek to diversify trade beyond oil and create … Read more

While Useful, Bitcoin Will Not Replace the U.S. Dollar, Russian Analyst Warns

Viktor Pershikov, a Russian expert in financial markets, has explored the opportunities that crypto and bitcoin will bring to Russia following the laws approved recently by President Putin. Pershikov stated that, while some cryptocurrencies present interesting opportunities as payment tools, ultimately, no cryptocurrency can currently substitute for the U.S. dollar. Russian Analyst States Bitcoin Won’t … Read more

China-Russia International Trade Payments Situation Worsens: Crypto and Barter Rise as Alternatives

Chinese regional banks, which were once used as bridges to process payments from Russia to China, have begun rejecting these payments for fear of secondary sanctions. To facilitate these transactions, cryptocurrency and even barter schemes have emerged as options to continue trading outside the dollar-dominated financial system. Crypto Considered for Settling Trade Transactions Between China … Read more

BRICS Countries Deem US Dollar Less Important in Global Trade, Says Indian Expert

The vice chairman of the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sameep Shastri, has highlighted the economic bloc’s shift away from reliance on the U.S. dollar, opting instead to trade using their national currencies like the Russian ruble, Indian rupee, and Chinese yuan. He underscored the importance of economic self-reliance and the challenge to Western … Read more

Putin Signs Law to Advance Cryptocurrency Use in Russia’s International Trade

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law to establish experimental legal frameworks to advance digital technologies, particularly cryptocurrencies, in international trade. The legislation allows for the modification of laws to facilitate cryptocurrency transactions, including cross-border trade, and grants the Bank of Russia oversight of pilot projects related to digital currencies. Putin Signs Law … Read more