Russia’s Yandex Search Engine Adds Cryptocurrencies to Its Converter

Yandex, the largest Russian search engine, has updated its currency converter, adding cryptocurrencies. The widget now shows the rates of these coins in a number of fiat currencies, with plans to introduce crypto-to-crypto pairs in the future as well. Yandex Integrates Leading Cryptocurrencies Into Its Currency Converter Users of Russia’s leading search engine, Yandex, can … Read more

Bank of Russia to Start Testing Digital Ruble With Real Users on April 1

The Central Bank of Russia plans to launch test operations with digital ruble transactions between real customers at the beginning of April. More than a dozen banks will join the upcoming stage of the pilot project, a high-ranking representative of the bank announced to Russian media. Russia’s Monetary Authority to Trial Actual Settlements With Digital … Read more

Bill Allows Russian Financial Platforms to Operate Blockchains, Issue Digital Assets

A draft law filed in the Russian parliament permits operators of platforms providing financial services to also run blockchain platforms. The legislation will allow them to combine their regular activities in the traditional financial market with issuing digital assets. New Law Opens Door to Blockchain Space for Russian Financial Service Providers The State Duma, the … Read more

Court to Try 2 Russians for Stealing 86 Bitcoins From Crypto Miner

Two residents of the Russian city of Tomsk will be tried for “large-scale robbery” involving the theft of cryptocurrency worth millions of rubles from a local miner. The digital coins were stolen from the owner at gunpoint, authorities said, adding that both criminals are now in custody. Thieves Face Trial in Russia for Armed Robbery … Read more

At Least 1,000 Lawsuits Filed Against Crypto Miners in Russia’s Irkutsk Region

Authorities in the Russian region of Irkutsk have so far filed 1,000 lawsuits against what they call “gray” miners, or people minting coins in their homes. In over half of these cases, courts have ordered the defendants to compensate the operators of the distribution networks. Hundreds of Crypto Miners Sued in Irkutsk for Extracting Digital … Read more

Russia Releases Bitzlato Co-Founder Anton Shkurenko After Questioning

Russian authorities have released the recently arrested co-founder of crypto exchange Bitzlato, said to have processed illicit funds worth millions of U.S. dollars. Anton Shkurenko, who was questioned in Moscow, denies the French charges against him that became the reason for his brief detention. Shkurenko Says Potential Case Against Him in Russia Won’t Interfere With … Read more

State-backed Crypto Mining Farm under Construction in Russia’s Buryatia

A new crypto mining facility is being built in the Russian Republic of Buryatia with support from a government-affiliated company. Construction of the infrastructure for the large-scale project is already underway, carried out by a subsidiary of Russia’s largest mining operator, Bitriver. Bitriver Building Large Data Center for Cryptocurrency Mining in Buryatia, Siberia A 100-megawatt … Read more

Russian Charged With Laundering Ransomware Proceeds in Crypto Pleads Guilty in US

A Russian national accused of processing cryptocurrency payments from ransomware attacks has pleaded guilty to money laundering in the United States. The man who was extradited from the Netherlands in mid-August, last year, will be sentenced in April. Russian Crypto Launderer Pleads Guilty in US Court, May Get Up to 20 Years in Prison An … Read more