Russia
Russia’s ruble-pegged stablecoin helped evade sanctions to the tune of $100 billion
Elliptic says the ruble-pegged A7A5 processed nearly 250,000 onchain transactions, demonstrating how stablecoins facilitate cross-border flows under sanctions pressure.
A ruble stablecoin outpaced market leaders last year despite international sanctions
A7A5, a ruble-linked stablecoin few outside Russia had heard of a year ago grew the most of any stablecoin, outpacing both USDT and USDC over the past 12 months.
Russia’s central bank unveils new crypto rules to be adopted in 2026
Bank of Russia outlined a new framework intended to let retail and qualified investors buy crypto under defined tests and caps by 2027.
Most Influential: Oleg Ogienko
Sanctions, capital controls and Russia’s improvised financial plumbing helped create A7A5, a ruble stablecoin built on a currency rarely used in global commerce, allowing it to appear legally at major events even as its presence leaves compliance teams panicked.
Russian Banking Giant VTB to Become Country's First to Offer Spot Crypto Trading: Report
In 2026, VTB plans to be the first Russian bank to allow clients access to spot crypto trading services.
UK Crime Network, Worth Billions, Used Crypto to Funnel Drug Cash to Russia, NCA Says
A billion-pound laundering network spread across the UK used cryptocurrency to move criminal proceeds and help Russian interests evade sanctions, according to the NCA.
Russia Acknowledges Crypto’s Popularity With Its Citizens as Central Bank Weighs Bank Involvement
The Finance Ministry noted growing crypto adoption, while the central bank laid out plans to let banks participate under strict capital and reserve requirements.
Asia Morning Briefing: Singapore Authorities Say Token2049 Organizer Not Covered by Russia Sanctions After A7A5 Appearance
Monetary Authority of Singapore spokesperson tells CoinDesk that entities not regulated as financial institutions are not subject to sanctions measures.
Asia Morning Briefing: Why Russia-Linked Stablecoin Issuer A7A5 Could Exhibit at Token2049 Despite Singapore Sanctions
Singapore made a bold move in its usual foreign policy of neutrality by sanctioning Promsvyazbank, a bank associated with the ruble stablecoin issuer A7A5, due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. But A7A5 was able to legally make an appearance at Token2049 because the conference is organized by a Hong Kong entity.
U.S. Blacklists Crypto Network Behind Ruble-Backed Stablecoin and Shuttered Exchange Garantex
U.S. officials accused Garantex, Grinex, A7A5 token issuers and executives of laundering ransomware proceeds and evading sanctions.
