Bank of Russia to Promote Digital Ruble in Foreign Trade as Finance Ministry Pushes for Crypto Option

Days after the two institutions agreed on the need for cross-border crypto payments, the finance ministry and the central bank of Russia are once again highlighting their different priorities. While the treasury department aims for legalizing cryptocurrency payments in the coming months, the monetary authority says it will “actively promote” its digital currency for international … Read more

Top Russian Lawmaker Joins Calls for Legalizing International Crypto Payments

A high-ranking member of the Russian parliament has urged for the adoption of a relevant legal framework to properly regulate cross-border crypto payments. His proposal comes after key regulators in Moscow said that Russia needs to allow the use of cryptocurrencies in foreign trade, now that it’s having to deal with serious financial restrictions. Financial … Read more

Russia Explores Stablecoins for Settlements With Friendly Nations

Russia is cooperating with friendly countries on the potential employment of stablecoins in international payments, a top government official unveiled. The news comes after key institutions in Moscow agreed that the Russian Federation needs to legalize cross-border crypto payments in the face of sanctions. Russia Looking to Build Stablecoin Platforms to Facilitate Trade With Partners … Read more

Lawyer of Alleged Crypto Launderer Vinnik Calls on Russia to Talk Prisoner Swap With US

A lawyer representing Russian IT specialist Alexander Vinnik has urged the government in Moscow to discuss a potential exchange of prisoners with the United States, where he was recently extradited. The French legal expert is convinced only a return to his homeland could save Vinnik who has deteriorating health after solitary confinement in France and … Read more

Russia Can’t Do Without Cross-Border Crypto Payments, Consensus Reached

Key government institutions have agreed that Russia needs to legalize crypto payments for international settlements. The proposal has been gaining support in the past few months since Moscow’s decision to invade Ukraine was met with wave after wave of Western sanctions. Financial Authorities in Russia Consider Legalizing International Cryptocurrency Payments In the current conditions, “it … Read more

Russian Arrested for Defrauding Buyers of Mining Hardware Worth Over $300,000

Police in the southern Russian city of Astrakhan have detained a man accused of defrauding people who wanted to purchase crypto miners. Law enforcement officials say the suspect made millions of rubles through fictitious sales of mining devices to Russian citizens and foreigners. Investigators Claim Russian Made Money Selling Nonexistent Crypto Mining Rigs A resident … Read more

Sanctioned Russian Bank Tests In-app Operations With Digital Rubles

A Russian bank, one of the country’s largest by assets, has conducted a successful trial with digital ruble transactions processed through its mobile app. The state-owned Promsvyazbank was one the institutions placed under Western sanctions earlier this year in connection with Moscow’s actions in Ukraine. Russian Bank Experiments With Digital Ruble Transfers via Mobile Application … Read more

Hackers Offer to Sell Belarus President Lukashenko’s Passport as NFT

Anti-government hackers have attempted to sell what they say is an NFT of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko’s passport. The members of the ‘Belarusian Cyber Partisans’ collective claim to have obtained the passport data of all of the country’s citizens. Cyber Guerrillas From Belarus Try to List NFT Passport Collection on Opensea A hacking group known … Read more

Russian PM Says Digital Assets Are ‘Safe Alternative’ in Foreign Trade, Urges for Ruble Payments

Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has praised digital assets as a payment instrument that could strengthen Russia’s financial independence. The top government official also called for increasing the use of the ruble for international settlements. Head of Russian Government Sees Digital Assets as Tool Ensuring ‘Uninterrupted Payments’ Digital assets can become an alternative to traditional … Read more

Crypto Farms Mining at Russian Oil Fields Reach 85 MW of Capacity, Analysts Say

Farms mining cryptocurrency at oil wells in Russia account for 85 megawatts (MW) of energy capacity, experts have estimated. Investors are considering projects for another 200 MW despite constraints stemming from Western sanctions, a report reveals. Annual Income From Crypto Mining With Associated Gas in Russia to Exceed One Billion Rubles Data centers mining cryptocurrencies … Read more