No Tax Amnesty for Russian Crypto Miners as Lawmakers Withdraw Proposal

A new draft law has replaced an earlier bill introducing a one-year tax and customs amnesty for cryptocurrency miners in Russia. The initial proposal has been withdrawn on the grounds that the tax break would have resulted in losses for the state budget. Revised Crypto Mining Legislation Submitted to Russian Parliament Without Amnesty for Miners … Read more

Russian Court Recognizes Cryptocurrency as Means of Payment, Prosecutors See Precedent

The City Court of St. Petersburg has recognized a large amount of cryptocurrency handed over by the victim in an extortion case as a means of payment, Russian media reported. The prosecutor’s office in Russia’s second-largest city describes the ruling as a precedent. Two Men Sentenced for Cryptocurrency Extortion in Russia Two Russian citizens have … Read more

Russian Appellate Court Cancels Decision to Block Tor Project’s Website

A court of appeals in Russia has overturned a ruling by a regional court which allowed the blocking of the Tor Project’s website in the country. Due to violations during the initial proceedings, the case has been returned to the court of the first instance for another review. Roskomsvoboda Helps Cancel the Blocking of Tor … Read more

Crypto Mining Farm Uncovered in Russia’s Oldest Prison

Russian law enforcement officials are investigating a crypto mining operation at Butyrka, Russia’s oldest prison. A deputy warden has been accused of stealing electricity to mint digital coins with the help of unidentified accomplices. Deputy Warden Suspected of Mining Cryptocurrency in Moscow Prison A high-ranking representative of the management of Butyrskaya prison, in the Tverskoy … Read more

Draft Law About NFTs Submitted to Russian Parliament

Lawmakers have filed a bill with the State Duma aimed at introducing the term NFTs to Russian legislation. The authors of the draft say the rights of those who own non-fungible tokens need to be protected as Russians are currently dealing with NFTs at their own risk. Russian Deputies Propose Amendments Legally Defining NFTs Members … Read more

Anonymous Allegedly Hacks Sberbank, Russia’s Largest Bank

Hacktivist collective Anonymous has allegedly breached the systems of one of the largest financial institutions in Russia, Sberbank. The attackers announced on social media they have published thousands of emails, phone numbers, and addresses. Anonymous Hackers Reportedly Gain Access to Sberbank Database Decentralized hacking group Anonymous claims to have hacked Sberbank. A Twitter account associated … Read more

Trade Minister Expects Russia to Legalize Cryptocurrency

Cryptocurrencies will be eventually legalized, a member of the Russian government has opined. The question is when this will happen, Trade Minister Denis Manturov stated as new crypto-related legislation advanced in the State Duma this week. Crypto Legalization Is Current Trend, Russian Minister Acknowledges Cryptocurrency can be legalized in the Russian Federation, according to a … Read more

Russia’s First Digital Financial Assets Expected This Year, Lawmaker Says

The first digital financial assets based on Russian blockchains may be issued as early as this year, a high-ranking parliamentarian announced. Three platforms are already registered as issuers, said Anatoly Aksakov, who chairs the Financial Market Committee at the State Duma, the lower house of Russian parliament. Russian Digital Financial Assets Likely to Appear by … Read more

Authorities Seize Over 1,500 Crypto Mining Rigs in Dagestan Crackdown

Law enforcement and other authorities in Dagestan have closed down two illegal crypto farms, confiscating more than 1,500 mining machines. Government agencies in the republic, considered one of Russia’s capitals of underground coin minting, carry out regular raids against such facilities. Cryptocurrency Miners in Dagestan Accused of ‘Illegal Entrepreneurship’ Officers from the Ministry of Internal … Read more

Russian Crypto Mining Giant Bitriver Considers Challenging US Sanctions

Russia’s Bitriver, one of the largest operators of crypto mining data centers, may take legal action against the U.S. over the decision to place it under sanctions. The company insists it does not help the Russian government to circumvent international restrictions. Bitriver Rejects US Accusations as Unfounded, Sees No Legal Ground for Sanctions Leading Russian … Read more