US Treasury ‘Very Attentive’ to Russia’s Use of Cryptocurrency, Yellen Says

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has addressed concerns about Russia using cryptocurrency to evade sanctions. During her testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, Yellen acknowledged the potential threat, noting that while it may not be a significant issue now, it could become more concerning as sanctions intensify. Yellen: We Are Very Attentive to the … Read more

Bank of Russia Discusses Conditions of Upcoming Stablecoin Regulation

The Bank of Russia has highlighted the conditions it will need to consider when regulating the use of stablecoins for Russian individuals and companies. The bank stated that before a regulation is enacted, a thorough study of these assets and a discussion with the relevant actors of the market and the community around them should … Read more

Lithuania Fines Crypto Firm $10M for Russian Sanctions Violations

The Lithuanian Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT) has fined the crypto firm Payeer nearly 9.3 million euros ($10 million) for international sanctions violations and anti-money laundering (AML) breaches. Specifically, Payeer was fined 8.23 million euros for facilitating transactions in Russian rubles through its platform, involving sanctioned Russian banks and clients. Additionally, a 1.06 million euro … Read more

Russian Central Bank Suggests Using Crypto to Counter Western Sanctions

Russia’s central bank has urged businesses to consider various payment solutions, including cryptocurrencies and digital assets, to manage transactions with foreign partners and counter Western sanctions. Bank of Russia Governor Elvira Nabiullina highlighted that the central bank has softened its stance on the use of cryptocurrencies in international payments. She also mentioned ongoing efforts to … Read more

Venezuela Likely to Keep Using Crypto to Bypass New Set of US Sanctions

According to Venezuelan dissidents and cryptocurrency analysts, the government of Venezuela is likely to keep using crypto to bypass the returning sanctions on oil and gold activities. Even when Nicolas Maduro’s administration seems to have been affected by corruption cases involving crypto, watchers report that these tools will keep diverting funds from regular channels. Venezuelan … Read more

Moscow Exchange Stops Trading in Dollar and Euro Due to US Sanctions

On Wednesday, the Moscow Exchange (MOEX) announced new restrictions on its trading activities. The exchange revealed that, due to the enactment of U.S. sanctions against its platform, it would stop activity in all trading pairs involving the U.S. dollar and the euro. These measures came into effect on June 13th and affected FX, precious metals, … Read more

US Treasury Expands Sanctions to Cripple Russian War Economy

The U.S. Treasury Department announced Wednesday that over 300 new sanctions have been issued to intensify pressure on Russia for its ongoing war against Ukraine. These measures, in alignment with G7 commitments, target entities and individuals globally to cripple Russia’s military-industrial base by restricting access to U.S. software, IT services, and foreign financial support. The … Read more