Independent Russian News Site Meduza Raises Over $200,000 in Crypto

Pressure from the Kremlin and sanctions from the West have forced Russian news outlet Meduza to increasingly rely on cryptocurrency donations to fund its independent journalism. As the restrictions imposed over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine have prevented its Russian readers from contributing in fiat currency, the Riga-based website now accepts several digital coins. Meduza Pulls … Read more

Putin Obliges Election Candidates to Report Crypto Holdings Outside Russia

President Vladimir Putin has approved amendments to his own decree requiring Russian citizens running for office to declare their property abroad. The updated regulation lists cryptocurrencies among the assets that candidates should report to the state. President Putin Requires Russian Officials to Reveal Crypto Asset Purchases in Foreign Countries Candidates for government offices in Russia … Read more

Coinbase Warns Some Russian Users Their Accounts May Be Blocked, Report Reveals

Leading U.S. crypto exchange Coinbase has reportedly notified certain Russian customers that their accounts may be blocked at the end of this month. According to Russian media, the trading platform has offered them to withdraw their funds unless they prove they are not under sanctions. Coinbase Reportedly Asks Russian Clients to Withdraw Funds Some Coinbase … Read more

Majority of Russia’s Financial Pyramids in Q1 Linked to Crypto, Scammers Exploit Sanctions Topic

Many of the financial pyramids identified in Russia during the first quarter of the year have been associated with cryptocurrencies, a top central bank official has revealed. Fraudsters are actively exploiting the hot topics of the day, including the sanctions theme. Pyramids Offer Russian Investors Ways to Circumvent Western Sanctions Amid growing financial uncertainty, Ponzi … Read more

Moody’s: Cryptocurrencies Unlikely to Help Russia Evade Sanctions

Russia’s ability to employ cryptocurrencies to circumvent international sanctions is restricted by the limited size of the crypto market, according to Moody’s. Despite increased use in small transactions, low liquidity is another factor preventing Russians from exploiting the utility of bitcoin and the like. Crypto Assets Not Viable Option for Sanctioned Russia, Moody’s Report Suggests … Read more

Russia’s Anti-Monopoly Agency Proposes Higher Electricity Rates for Home Crypto Miners

The anti-monopoly service of Russia has suggested that Russians minting digital currencies at their homes should pay more for the spent electrical energy. The proposal comes after the submission of a bill tailored to regulate cryptocurrency mining to the Russian parliament. Russian Miners Using Household Electricity Should Pay Higher Bills, Anti-Monopoly Body Says Russia’s Federal … Read more

Bankoff Crypto Cards Suspended Amid High Volume of Russian Transactions

Bankoff, a platform offering virtual cards that could be topped up with cryptocurrency, has told customers its cards are no longer supported by payment systems Visa and Stripe. They allowed Russians to pay abroad after major processors restricted their services in the country. Visa and Stripe Halt Support for Bankoff Cards Payment processors Visa and … Read more

Anonymous Hackers Claim to Have Breached Russian Payment Service Provider Qiwi

A hacking group linked to the Anonymous collective has allegedly hit the popular Russian payment processor Qiwi. Network Battalion 65 announced on social media it had managed to gain access to the platform’s databases — a claim the company has denied. Anonymous Affiliate Hacks Russian Payment System Qiwi Hackers from Network Battalion 65 (NB65), a … Read more

Ukrainian Soccer Club Shakhtar to Raise Humanitarian Funds Through NFT Sale

Shakhtar Donetsk, a leading soccer team in Ukraine, will sell a collection of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). The club intends to auction several signed jerseys to raise funds for Ukrainian citizens affected by the ongoing war with Russia. FC Shakhtar Donetsk to Auction Digital Collectibles With Help From Binance Binance NFT, the marketplace for non-fungible tokens … Read more

Bill Regulating Crypto Mining Submitted to Russian Parliament

A draft law tailored to regulate cryptocurrency mining has been filed with the lower house of Russian parliament, the State Duma. The legislation provides a legal definition for the extraction of digital currencies and envisages the establishment of a register for miners. Russian Lawmakers to Review Legislation Enforcing Rules for Crypto Mining Sector The draft … Read more