Vladimir Putin Says West’s Attempt to ‘Crush the Russian Economy’ Did Not Succeed

Last week the Russian ruble hit a seven-year high against the US dollar and while analysts have downplayed the rise, one economist said people should not “ignore the exchange rate.” American economists have been perplexed about the ruble’s market performance and Russian officials have been quoted as saying that a strong ruble “makes Russian exports […]

Bear market? “So what,” says World Chess Champion Garry Kasparov

Cointelegraph sat down with Chess Grandmaster Garry Kasparov at Consensus 2022 to get his thoughts on the crypto and NFT market. Garry Kasparov, the Russian chess grandmaster and chair of the Human Rights Foundation, doesn’t appear at all bothered by the current crypto bear market.

5% Instant Bonus From Utorg to Support Ukrainians

[PRESS RELEASE – Please Read Disclaimer] While many Ukrainians are suffering from the consequences of the Russian invasion, a fintech company Utorg wants to make a difference.

Financial Companies Report First Deal With Digital Assets Under Russian Law

Two companies have carried out Russia’s first transactions with digital financial assets as defined by the country’s current legislation.

Russia’s Financial Watchdog Investigates 400 Crypto-Related Cases, Director Tells Putin

Rosfinmonitoring is conducting hundreds of investigations into cases involving cryptocurrencies, the head of the agency announced.

Russian central bank exec is OK with crypto mining under one condition

A finance officer believes it is necessary to sell the mined assets abroad to avoid the adoption of crypto in internal payments.

Russian Parliament Adopts Tax Rules for Digital Assets

Russian lawmakers have approved amendments regulating the taxation of transactions with digital assets.

Russian Duma passes bill to remove VAT, lower income tax rates on digital asset sales

Russia is turning to blockchain technology in an effort to counteract the economic isolation brought on by the sanctions imposed due to its invasion of Ukraine.

More security, transparency, and scalability: What blockchain needs for mass adoption

In February 2022, the Ukrainian government ran a crypto donation campaign to support victims of the Russian invasion.

Reports Claim Russia Defaulted on Foreign Debt for the First Time in a Century, Kremlin Disagrees and Says It Paid

According to reports, the Russian Federation has defaulted on its foreign debt for the first time since 1918.

Bank of Russia Accelerates Schedule for Digital Ruble Project

The Central Bank of Russia continues to step up efforts to test and issue the digital ruble, with a roadmap for the full implementation of the new form of the national fiat now expected by the end of 2023.

Hardware Worth $1.9 Million Stolen in Russia’s Crypto Mining Capital

Russian law enforcement is looking into the alleged theft of mining hardware valued at around $1.9 million.

Bill Imposing Fines for Illegal Issuance and Exchange of Digital Assets Proposed in Russia

A bill introducing financial penalties for those who illegally issue or exchange digital financial assets has been filed in the Russian parliament.

Vladimir Putin Slams Western Monetary Policy, Predicts Global Shift to Commodity Reserves

The world is going to begin converting its reserves away from debasing dollars and euros, predicts the Russian President.

Russia to Trial Digital Ruble Settlements for Real Estate Deals

The Central Bank of Russia and participating commercial banks want to test various types of payments with the digital ruble, the Russian press reported.

Ukraine Raises Over $100,000 From Cryptopunk NFT Sale

The government of Ukraine has sold a Cryptopunk NFT donated in support of the war-torn country a few months ago.

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.

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.

Sberbank to Conduct First Digital Asset Transaction on Own Platform

Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, is going to carry out the first transfer of digital assets on its own dedicated platform within a month, a top executive revealed this week.

Bitriver to Mine Crypto Using Excess Gas From Gazprom Neft’s Oil Extraction

Russian crypto mining operator Bitriver will use electricity generated from associated gas provided by Gazprom Neft to mint digital coins.

Russia seems to be preparing to mine Bitcoin with flare gas

One of the world's largest producers of carbon emissions, the Russian gas giant Gazprom aims to reduce its carbon footprint by providing its flare gas for Bitcoin mining. The Russian government continues establishing links with major players in the cryptocurrency mining industry despite staying skeptical about legalizing cryptocurrency trading and payments.Russia’s state-owned gas giant Gazprom Neft has entered into a partnership with BitRiver, the largest crypto mining colocation services supplier in Russia providing hosting services for major crypto mining operations. Gazprom will provide BitRiver's partner data centers with electricity generated from the associated petroleum gas, the companies officially announced on June 16.As part of the collaboration, BitRiver will be developing digital infrastructure based on oil fields of Gazprom to provide crypto mining services from the flare gas.Gazprom first Deputy CEO Vadim Yakovlev emphasized that the business model of ​​Gazprom itself doesn’t envision work with digital assets.

Crypto Payments Possible if They Don’t Penetrate Russia’s Financial System, Central Bank Says

Cryptocurrencies can be used for international payments if they don’t penetrate the Russian financial system, the head of Bank of Russia has stated.

Ukraine-based blockchain firm announces 'we're still hiring' amid market downturn, war

According to the CEO, Everstake had made preparations for a “special fund” to tide the firm over in the event of a bear market. Sergey Vasylchuk, the chief executive officer of Ukraine-based decentralized staking provider Everstake, has said the company will continue to hire crypto professionals amid a market downturn and ongoing conflict in the country. In a Wednesday Twitter thread, Vasylchuk said Everstake had hired 30 people since the Russian war against Ukraine started in February, and the firm still had more than 10 positions in marketing and development to fill.

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.

Russian bank Sber to complete its first digital currency deal

Sber was initially planning to launch its blockchain-enabled digital asset platform and the Sbercoin stablecoin by spring 2021. Russian banking giant Sber — formerly known as Sberbank — is preparing to soon complete its first digital currency deal involving the bank’s proprietary digital asset platform.The bank will conduct its first transaction involving digital financial assets (DFA) on its digital asset issuance platform by mid-July.Anatoly Popov, deputy chairman of Sber’s executive board, disclosed Sber’s plans to complete such a deal in an interview with the state-backed news agency TASS on June 15.Popov claimed that Sber finally received registration from the country's central bank — the Bank of Russia — in spring 2022, following a series of registration delays.

Bill to ban digital assets as payment passed the first reading in the Russian parliament

The document bears several conceptual contradictions, trying to qualify security tokens as a monetary surrogate. A bill that had been introduced a week ago to the State Duma, the lower chamber of Russian Parliament, made a swift passing through first reading.

Russian Parliament to Review Bill Prohibiting Crypto Payments

Legislation making it illegal to pay with cryptocurrencies has been filed with the State Duma, the lower house of Russia’s parliament.

Kim Dotcom on the ‘Great Reset,’ Strong Russian Ruble Puzzles Economists, and More — Bitcoin.com News Week in Review

This week, entrepreneur and activist Kim Dotcom said the “US is beyond bankrupt,” and minced no words about a potential “controlled demolition of global markets.” Meanwhile, American economists are interested in the ruble’s strong performance in spite of sanctions against Russia, a new book emerges claiming to tell the “Real Story Behind Mysterious Bitcoin Creator […]

Crypto-Related Lawsuits Rising in Russia, Criminal Cases Increase by 40%

Courts in Russia are hearing a growing number of cases around crypto assets, a new study has shown.

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 US penny, the transcontinental country’s fiat currency is the best performing currency worldwide.