Russian Parliament Postpones Adoption of Crypto Mining Bill

Russian lawmakers will consider a draft law on cryptocurrency mining in 2023 despite earlier indications they were going to vote on the proposal in December. The bill is expected to set the rules for the extraction and sale of cryptocurrency in Russia amid sanctions limiting the country’s access to global finances and markets. Russia’s New … Read more

BTC-e’s Alexander Vinnik Applies for Release on Bail Citing Trial Delay

The alleged operator of crypto exchange BTC-e, Alexander Vinnik, has asked to be released on bail due to the delay in court proceedings. In early August, the Russian IT specialist was extradited to the United States to face charges of money laundering through the now-defunct coin trading platform. Vinnik’s Defense Appeals for His Release on … Read more

Bank of Russia to Test International Crypto Payments With Companies

The Central Bank of Russia plans to use cryptocurrency for cross-border payments in trials with private companies, a member of its top management has revealed. The testing will be conducted under a special legal regime that’s currently under development. Russia’s Central Bank to Explore Crypto Settlements Amid Financial Sanctions The Central Bank of the Russian … Read more

Government Agencies Need Crypto Wallets and Access to Exchanges, Russian Prosecutors Say

Russian authorities are finding it hard to cash out digital assets they have gotten hold of, prosecutors have warned. They have also urged the government to recognize cryptocurrency as property, allow departments to have digital wallets and use crypto exchanges. Prosecutor’s Office Insists Russian Investigators Should Have Cryptocurrency Wallets Russian prosecutors are convinced that investigative … Read more

Bank of Russia Moves to Safeguard Crypto Companies Against Sanctions

The Central Bank of Russia has introduced measures to protect entities working with digital assets from sanctions pressures. These businesses will be exempted from some reporting requirements as part of a regulatory relief intended to minimize the burden on financial organizations. Russia’s Central Bank Eases Supervision of Digital Asset Platforms Amid Sanctions The Central Bank … Read more

Russian Social Media Giant Vkontakte Launches NFT Service

Russia’s largest social network, Vkontakte, has launched a feature allowing users to upload digital collectibles to the platform. Account holders will also be able to buy and sell them in the future as the company intends to establish a marketplace for non-fungible tokens. Vkontakte Users to Showcase Their NFTs, Set Them as Avatars The leading … Read more

Russia Cracking Down on Crypto Miners Minting in Residential Areas

Russian authorities are now prosecuting miners extracting cryptocurrency using subsidized electricity for the population, according to a top official from the energy ministry. Power utilities are detecting their increased consumption and trying to make them pay at commercial rates. Amateur Crypto Miners in Russia Under Pressure Despite Lack of Regulation for Home Mining Electricity distribution … Read more

Another Member of Russian Crypto Pyramid Finiko Arrested in UAE

Law enforcement authorities in the United Arab Emirates have detained a top Finiko representative, sought for his role in the crypto Ponzi scheme which defrauded thousands of investors around the world. This is the second arrest in the Gulf state of a high-ranking member of the pyramid announced in the past month. Finiko Fraudster Caught … Read more