Russian Ruble Taps 7-Year High Against the US Dollar — Economist Says ‘Don’t Ignore the Exchange Rate’

Recent news reports have detailed that Russia’s fiat currency, the ruble, was the best-performing currency worldwide and the articles explained that American economists were perplexed by the trend. On Monday, the Russian ruble rose to 55.47 per dollar, which was the highest increase since 2015. While many have dismissed the ruble’s exchange rate, Charles Lichfield, … Read more

Russian Finance Ministry Rules Out Sale of Oil for Bitcoin

The Russian government considers bitcoin as a payment option for small business transactions, not for oil exports, the country’s finance ministry has indicated. A top official emphasized the department means that cryptocurrencies may be used in barter deals, but not as legal tender. Crypto Payments Not for Russian State Settlements, Ministry of Finance Says Cryptocurrency … Read more

Russia Developing Sandbox for Cross-border Crypto Payments

An institute facilitating Russian exports is now working on the establishment of a sandbox for international crypto payments, local media reported. The goal is to identify potential regulatory and technological challenges for settlements with digital assets. Russia Prepares to Test Crypto Payments for Exports in Dedicated Sandbox The Russian Export Center (REC), which is a … Read more

Nearly 70,000 Issued Binance Refugee Crypto Card for Ukrainians

Thousands of Ukrainians have ordered a crypto card issued by the world’s leading digital asset exchange, Binance, for its users from the war-torn country. The card allows people displaced by the ongoing conflict with Russia to make payments and receive financial support. Binance Announces Results From Efforts to Help Ukrainian Refugees Between April 26 and … Read more

Lithuanian Government Approves Stricter Crypto Regulations

The government in Vilnius has approved amendments introducing more stringent regulations for the country’s growing crypto space. The legislation is aimed at managing risks associated with crypto assets and preventing Russian attempts to circumvent Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine. Lithuanian Authorities to Tighten Rules for Crypto Industry Lithuania is preparing to revise … Read more

American Economists Are Baffled by an ‘Unusual Situation’ as Russia’s Ruble Is the World’s Best Performing Fiat Currency

Two months after the Russian ruble fell below a U.S. penny, the transcontinental country’s fiat currency is the best performing currency worldwide. American economists are baffled by the “unusual situation” because a country facing stiff sanctions typically sees its fiat currency decline in value, but Russia’s ruble has done the exact opposite. Russia’s Ruble Outshines … Read more

Russia’s Industrial Giant Rostec Announces Blockchain-Based Alternative to SWIFT

Rostec, the Russian manufacturing and technology conglomerate, has developed a system allowing the processing of international settlements and storage of digital currency. The blockchain-based platform has been announced as an alternative to SWIFT, which is unavailable for some Russian banks. Rostec Employs Distributed Ledger Technology to Substitute SWIFT Russian state-owned corporation Rostec has built a … 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

Russia Considers Using Cryptocurrencies for International Settlements

Authorities in Russia are mulling over the possible use of digital currencies for international payments, a high-ranking official from the finance ministry has indicated. If recognized as property, he noted, cryptocurrency can be utilized in barter deals with foreign partners. Finance Ministry Suggests Russia May Employ Crypto in International Trade The possibility of using cryptocurrencies … Read more