Pro-Russian Groups Raised $400,000 in Crypto Since Ukraine Invasion, Report Reveals

Groups supporting Russia’s war effort in Ukraine have been actively collecting cryptocurrency to fund paramilitary operations and evade sanctions, researchers say. According to a new report, these organizations use Telegram to raise money then used to pay for equipment and training. Paramilitary Groups Employ Cryptocurrency to Fund Russian Operations in Ukraine Pro-Russian groups have reportedly … Read more

Settlements With China — Russia Plans Next Step for Digital Ruble

Russia intends to use its digital ruble, to be introduced early next year, for payments with its key ally, China. Authorities in Moscow hope other nations will be willing to adopt the Russian digital currency in trade, which will allow the country to circumvent sanctions imposed over the Ukraine war. Russian Federation Eyes Digital Ruble … Read more

Hackers Offer to Sell Belarus President Lukashenko’s Passport as NFT

Anti-government hackers have attempted to sell what they say is an NFT of Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko’s passport. The members of the ‘Belarusian Cyber Partisans’ collective claim to have obtained the passport data of all of the country’s citizens. Cyber Guerrillas From Belarus Try to List NFT Passport Collection on Opensea A hacking group known … Read more

Ukraine Blocks Crypto Wallet Used to Raise Funds for Russian Forces

The law enforcement and counter-intelligence agency of Ukraine has managed to seize the funds in a cryptocurrency wallet used to finance the Russian military campaign in the country. Officials in Kyiv claim that money collected through the wallet has been spent on military equipment for the pro-Russian separatist forces in the east. Ukraine Seizes Crypto … Read more

US Asks Japan to Pressure Crypto Exchanges, Miners Working With Russia, Report Unveils

U.S. diplomats have reportedly called on authorities in Tokyo to increase pressure on Japanese crypto exchanges and miners to sever links to Russia. The request was made to deepen Moscow’s financial isolation amid the ongoing Russian assault on Ukraine. Washington Wants Japan’s Crypto Companies to Cut Ties, Further Isolate Russia The United States has urged … Read more

Anonymous Hacks Major Belarusian Government Websites

The websites of several ministries of Belarus have allegedly been taken down in a new attack, part of the cyberwar Anonymous is waging to help Ukraine. The hacking group declared it’s targeting the Belarusian government for its complicity in the Russian invasion of the neighboring country. Several Government Sites in Belarus Taken Offline by Anonymous … Read more

Bank of Russia Steps Up Efforts to Issue Digital Ruble Due to Sanctions

The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) has accelerated the development of its digital ruble in response to Western sanctions. The monetary authority now intends to pilot transactions with the new version of the national fiat in early 2023 instead of 2024, as originally planned. CBR to Launch Transactions, Smart Contracts With Digital Ruble as Early … Read more

Ukraine’s New Fundraising Platform Accepts Crypto, Allows Donors to Allocate Funds

United24, a new fundraising platform announced recently by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accepts a number of cryptocurrencies, alongside traditional payment methods. The initiative also permits donors to choose how their money will be spent. Kyiv Launches New Platform for Donations Amid Ongoing War With Russia Ukraine, which has been increasingly relying on foreign donations to … 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

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