The South African currency’s exchange rate versus the U.S. dollar plunged to a new all-time low of ZAR19.51:US$ 1 on May 12. The rand’s latest fall came a day after the U.S. ambassador to South Africa accused the country of secretly supplying weapons to Russia. Banking giant JP Morgan said it now projects South Africa’s gross domestic product to contract by 0.2%, down from the … [Read more...]
India, Russia Mull Payment System Integration in Face of US Sanctions
The governments of India and Russia are considering integrating part of their payment systems, in order to counter the possible future effect of US sanctions on the capital flows of each country. The deal would include the integration of India’s Rupay card system and its Russian counterpart, Mir Cards, to allow seamless payments between the two countries. Russia and India … [Read more...]
Russia to Work With Digital Currencies of Other Nations
The platform developed for the digital ruble will be able to operate with different state-issued digital currencies, the Bank of Russia said. Mechanisms for interaction with digital coins minted by the central banks of other countries are already under development, the monetary authority unveiled. Digital Ruble Platform to Support Integration With Other CBDCs, Bank of Russia … [Read more...]
Growing Links Between Middle East, Russia, China Pose Huge Challenge for US, Warns Former Treasury Secretary
Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers has expressed concerns that a rising number of countries, including China, Russia, and the Middle East, are aligning themselves and gaining global influence. “I think [it] is a huge challenge for the United States,” he cautioned. Larry Summers on Countries Banding Together Against the US Former Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers … [Read more...]
US Treasury to Attempt Coercing European Countries Into Implementing Sanctions Against Russia
Officials of the U.S. Treasury Department will travel to Europe this month with the objective of getting more countries to apply punitive actions against Russia. The tour, which includes visits to Switzerland, Italy, and Germany, aims to stop the material support companies in these states provide Russia, threatening to cut trade if they don’t comply. US Treasury to Demand … [Read more...]
Crypto Exchanges Must Share User Data With Russia, Prosecutor General Demands
Digital asset exchanges must be obliged to provide user information to Russia’s law enforcement agencies, the country’s Prosecutor General has insisted. The circulation of cryptocurrencies in the Russian Federation needs to be regulated to counter money laundering, the official added. Cryptocurrency Exchanges Have to Report to Russian Authorities, Chief Prosecutor Says Crypto … [Read more...]
Cryptocurrency Turnover Growing in Russia, Watchdog Reports to Putin
Use of cryptocurrencies is increasing in Russia, the head of the country’s financial watchdog has informed President Putin. The agency, Rosfinmonitoring, is following thousands of participants in digital asset transactions with a new blockchain analytics system, the official revealed. Volume of Crypto Transactions in Russia Almost $ 13 Billion, Financial Authority Says The … [Read more...]
Bitzlato Co-Founder Anton Shkurenko Arrested in Russia, Report
Russian authorities have reportedly arrested the second co-founder of seized cryptocurrency exchange Bitzlato. The man, who recently promised to restore the platform’s operations from Russia, was detained at the request of Interpol and may face extradition to France. Another Co-Founder of the Russia-Linked Bitzlato Exchange Apprehended in Moscow Anton Shkurenko, co-founder of … [Read more...]
Bank of Russia Backs Crypto Mining Bill But Insists Minted Coins Should Be Exported
The monetary authority in Moscow has expressed support for the latest legislative attempt to legalize cryptocurrency mining. However, the regulator wants the extracted digital currency to be sold outside the country or only under special legal regimes in Russia, as an exception. Russia’s Central Bank Suggests Restrictions Be Added to Proposed Crypto Mining Law The Central Bank … [Read more...]
Bank of Russia Sets Out to Regulate Digital Asset Taxation, Exchange, Still Opposed to Crypto
The Central Bank of Russia supports the development of digital financial assets but remains opposed to legalizing crypto payments, its top management has reiterated. The monetary authority is now working on a set of regulatory proposals that will be submitted to parliament by the end of the year. Russia’s Central Bank Takes Legislative Initiative in Digital Assets Regulation … [Read more...]
Economists Discuss Russia, China Potentially Developing Gold-Backed Currency That Could Undermine US Dollar
Economists have weighed in on reports that China and Russia may be developing a new gold-backed currency that could undermine the U.S. dollar’s status as the world’s primary reserve currency. Russia and China May Be Developing Gold-Backed Currency Several experts have shared their views on Russia and China potentially creating a new gold-baked currency, Fox Business reported … [Read more...]
Bitcoin ATMs Increase in Number in Moscow, Russia
The number of bitcoin ATMs has been on the rise in Russia’s capital and the rest of the country, a press report revealed this week. There is demand for the service as it offers easy access to cryptocurrencies, although not at the best exchange rates and still amid regulatory uncertainty. More Crypto ATMs Installed in Russian Federation Despite Absence of Regulations With … [Read more...]
War Spurs Crypto Activity in Russia and Ukraine, Chainalysis Reports
The deadly conflict that started with Russia’s assault on Ukraine has increased crypto-related activity in both countries, according to Chainalysis. Fiat inflation and sanctions pressure led to several spikes in transaction volumes this year, the blockchain forensics firm has found, while Eastern Europe as a whole sustained its role in the global crypto ecosystem. Russians and … [Read more...]
Russia Said to Allow Crypto Mining in Regions With Hydroelectric and Nuclear Power
Cryptocurrency mining should be allowed in areas with excess energy and prohibited in those that experience deficits, according to Russian officials preparing to legalize it. An expert from the crypto industry has recently marked the regions where Moscow is likely to authorize mining and the ones where it will probably ban the extraction of digital currencies. Expert Lists … [Read more...]
Russia Starts Developing Mechanism for International Crypto Payments
Financial authorities in Russia have begun work on a mechanism to facilitate the employment of cryptocurrencies for settlements with other nations amid sanctions. The country’s central bank and finance ministry have already agreed on a draft law regulating cross-border crypto payments. Regulators in Russia Move Toward Legalizing Use of Cryptocurrency in Foreign Trade Russian … [Read more...]
