Russian State Duma Adopts Law Banning Payments With Digital Financial Assets

The lower house of Russian parliament has adopted a law prohibiting the use of digital financial assets in payments. To implement the restriction, exchange operators have been obliged to reject transactions which make it possible to employ these assets as a means of payment. Russian Parliament Approves Legislation Preventing Digital Financial Asset Payments The majority … Read more

Roskomnadzor Media Watchdog Unblocks Leading Russian Crypto News Outlet

Russia’s mass media regulator, Roskomnadzor, has restored access to a major Russian crypto news portal. Bits.media was recently blocked as a result of proceedings in a regional court that its representatives were not even summoned to attend. Crypto News Site Bits.media Again Available to Russian Readers as Roskomnadzor Delists It Bits.media, the source for crypto-related … Read more

Demand for Hardware Crypto Wallets Increases Amid Currency Restrictions in Russia

Hardware wallets designed to securely store cryptocurrency have seen a several-fold increase this spring in Russia, on the backdrop of currency restrictions introduced amid foreign sanctions. Ledger and Tangem have been the most popular products on the market, a media report revealed. Russians Buy More Hardware Crypto Wallets, Market Players Say Russian crypto users have … Read more

Alexander Vinnik Serves Prison Term in France but No Freedom in Sight

Having served his five-year prison sentence in France, Russian IT and crypto specialist Alexander Vinnik is now facing a return to Greece and possible extradition to the United States. A French cassation court has recently dismissed an appeal filed by his defense against the transfer. US Extradition Continues to Haunt BTC-e’s Alexander Vinnik The alleged … Read more

Bank of Russia Ready to Legalize Crypto Mining If Miners Sell Minted Coins Abroad

The Central Bank of Russia would agree to the legalization of cryptocurrency mining, provided the proceeds from the activity are converted to fiat outside of Russia. The regulator’s latest position on the matter comes after it softened its stance on the possible use of cryptocurrencies for payments, even if only internationally. Central Bank of Russia … Read more

Russian Media Censor Roskomnadzor Blocks Major Crypto News Website

Bits.media, a leading news outlet in Russia’s crypto space, has been blocked by Russia’s telecom and mass media watchdog, Roskomnadzor. The site is now inaccessible through most Russian internet providers, the online edition announced, stating it intends to contest the measure. Roskomnadzor Denies Russians Access to Bits.media Crypto news website Bits.media became unavailable to most … Read more

Financial Companies Report First Deal With Digital Assets Under Russian Law

Two companies have carried out Russia’s first transactions with digital financial assets as defined by the country’s current legislation. The deal involved the tokenization of debt issued by a third party and its subsequent acquisition. Russian Companies Conduct Issue and Placement of Digital Financial Assets VTB Factoring, a subsidiary of Russian majority state-owned Vneshtorgbank (VTB), … Read more

Russia’s Financial Watchdog Investigates 400 Crypto-Related Cases, Director Tells Putin

Rosfinmonitoring is conducting hundreds of investigations into cases involving cryptocurrencies, the head of the agency announced. Hundreds of thousands of Russians take part in crypto deals abroad, the top regulator also reported to the Russian president. Russian Authorities Initiate 20 Criminal Cases Linked to Crypto Assets The Federal Financial Monitoring Service of the Russian Federation, … Read more

Russian Parliament Adopts Tax Rules for Digital Assets

Russian lawmakers have approved amendments regulating the taxation of transactions with digital assets. The legislation concerns business operations with cryptocurrencies and tokens. In some cases, the burden for Russian companies will be reduced as compared to foreign entities. Russian Duma Passes Law to Tax Crypto Transactions A bill amending the Tax Code of the Russian … Read more

Bank of Russia Accelerates Schedule for Digital Ruble Project

The Central Bank of Russia continues to step up efforts to test and issue the digital ruble, with a roadmap for the full implementation of the new form of the national fiat now expected by the end of 2023. Trials with real transactions and users are scheduled to begin next April, earlier than originally planned. … Read more