Russians Aware of Bitcoin Divided on Proposed Crypto Ban, Poll Finds

A new survey has indicated that Russians who have heard about cryptocurrency are deeply divided in their opinions on the recently suggested ban on operations with digital assets. A third of the respondents support the central bank’s proposal while an equal number of participants in the survey oppose it. Bank of Russia’s Call to Prohibit … Read more

Russian Government Drafts Roadmap to Regulate, Not Ban Crypto, Report Unveils

A roadmap on cryptocurrencies has been prepared by a number of ministries, regulatory bodies, and law enforcement agencies, Russian media reported. The document, which aims to regulate Russia’s crypto market by the end of this year, comes amid disagreements between the central bank and other government institutions about the future of decentralized digital money in … Read more

Putin Urges Government, Central Bank to Reach Consensus on Crypto, Highlights Russia’s Mining Potential

President Vladimir Putin has joined the debate on the future of cryptocurrencies in Russia, calling on the government and central bank to work out a common position on their regulation. The Russian leader also emphasized Russia’s strengths as a crypto mining destination. Putin Asks Ministers and Bankers to Report Back With Consensus on Cryptocurrencies Russian … Read more

Crypto Ban Proposed by Bank of Russia Met With Opposition in Parliament, Government

The central bank’s push for a restrictive policy regarding cryptocurrencies is not gaining support among members of the Russian government, legislature, or law enforcement. A blanket crypto ban, as proposed by the bank, would make a laughingstock of Russia, lawmakers have warned. Bank of Russia’s Hardline Stance on Crypto Rejected by Other Russian Institutions The … Read more

No Developed Nation Bans Cryptocurrencies, Telegram Founder Pavel Durov Warns Russia

Pavel Durov, founder of the messaging app Telegram, has criticized Bank of Russia’s proposal to impose a blanket ban on a range of crypto-related activities. Such move would stifle high-tech development and chase away blockchain specialists, Durov says. Durov Speaks Out Against Bank of Russia Push for Crypto Ban The cryptocurrency ban proposed by the … Read more

Russian Banks Begin Testing Digital Ruble Payments

Banks in Russia are preparing to dive into the pilot phase of the digital ruble project and some are already testing transactions with the currency. Trials have started with customer-to-customer (C2C) payments and Bank of Russia plans to expand the types of operations in the future. Digital Ruble Pilot Launches With 12 Participating Banks The … Read more

Bank of Russia to Monitor Banks’ Dealings With Crypto Exchangers

The Central Bank of Russia has started to examine the operations of Russian banks with cryptocurrency exchangers, according to local media. Transactions between individuals through these platforms are of particular interest as the regulator believes these carry risks of financial losses and fraud. Central Bank Asks Russian Banks for Details on Crypto-Related Transactions In late … Read more

Bank of Russia Proposes Wide Ban on Cryptocurrency Use, Trade, Mining

True to its hardline stance on decentralized digital money, the Central Bank of Russia is now pushing for a wide-ranging ban on crypto-related activities such as issuance, exchange, and mining. A consultation paper published by the regulator cites threats to financial stability and citizens’ wellbeing among the main reasons for the proposed restrictions. Russia’s Central … Read more

Sberbank Launches First Blockchain ETF in Russia

Russian banking giant Sberbank has presented the country’s first exchange-traded fund (ETF) giving investors access to the blockchain space. The new instrument holds securities of companies dealing with cryptocurrencies and the technologies that underpin them. Sberbank Introduces ETF Tracking Blockchain Economy Index The largest banking and financial services provider in Russia and the post-Soviet space, … Read more

Bank of Russia to Collect Data on Crypto-Related Transactions Between Individuals

The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) plans to obtain information from commercial banks pertaining to some money transfers between private individuals, including clients trading cryptocurrency. The measure is likely to affect online crypto exchangers which the regulator accuses of conducting illegal operations. Central Bank to Check Transactions Between Russians Exchanging Crypto As part of efforts … Read more