CRYPTOCURRENCY
Russia Legalizes Crypto Mining and Payments Amid Sanctions
In response to Western sanctions, Russia has enacted legislation legalizing cryptocurrency mining and international payments, a strategic pivot aimed at mitigating economic pressures.
OFAC Sanctions Russian UAV Developer KB Vostok Amid Ukraine Conflict
OFAC imposes sanctions on Russian drone developer KB Vostok, linked to Ukraine invasion, disrupting Russia’s military supply chain.
He Yi Discusses Binance's Regulatory Strategy Amid Actions Against Binance and Zhao Changpen
In a public letter, He Yi, Co-founder of Binance, discusses the company's compliance strategy, which gains significance amidst a U.S. Department of Justice inquiry initiated on May 6, 2023, 13 SEC charges, and the company's recent exit from the Russian market.
Breaking: Binance Sells Russian Operations to CommEX, Exits Market
Binance has announced the sale of its entire Russia business to CommEX, citing compliance issues as the primary reason for the exit. The transition process for existing Russian users is expected to take up to one year, with no financial strings attached to the deal for Binance.
Russian Investors File Class Action Against Atomic Wallet Following $100 Million Heist
Russian and CIS investors have filed a class action lawsuit against Atomic Wallet, claiming losses of around $12 million following a security breach in June. The lawsuit, coordinated by German lawyer Max Gutbrod and Moscow's Destra Legal, highlights concerns about the platform's security measures and the growing reliance on cryptocurrencies in Russia.
Bank of Russia Delays CBDC Pilot Rollout
The Bank of Russia's CBDC pilot rollout has been delayed indefinitely due to legislation only passing through the first reading. The number of participating private banks has also changed to 13 from 15, with the pilot involving real operations and limited consumers.
Sberbank Executive Touts Blockchain for Russia
Sberbank executive Alexander Vedyakhin believes blockchain technology could help Russia solve current settlement issues, offering new capabilities for payment systems.
Russian Crypto Advocates Urge Putin to Address Delayed Regulations
The Russian Association of Crypto Industry and Blockchain (RACIB) has written an open letter to President Vladimir Putin urging him to address the risks of delayed cryptocurrency regulations in Russia. The letter argues that Russia has been too slow to implement legal regimes for crypto adoption and highlights the potential complications of proposed amendments to the current crypto law.
A British National Charged With Aiding North Korea in Violating US sanctions
Despite the DoJ's crypto financial sanctions targeting Russia, local authorities helped their American colleagues.
Bank of Russia to Debut Digital Ruble in April 2023
The Bank of Russia is planning a consumer pilot for the digital ruble and a gold-backed cryptocurrency.