Russia

Russia Warns About MMM Collapse In China

2015-11-12 03:01 PM | Nina Lyon

Yury Chikhanchin, the Director of the Federal Financial Monitoring Service in Russia warned about the future collapse of the MMM Pyramid Scheme of Sergei Mavrodi in China.

Is This Man the Reason Behind the Bitcoin Price Surge?

2015-11-05 08:15 PM | Walid Dib

Bitcoin price analysts are struggling to identify the rationale behind the sudden price spike in the cryptocurrency’s value as it broke the US$400 mark on November 3, surpassing a market cap of more than US$6 billion.

Russia Expected to Legalize Bitcoin P2P Transactions

2015-06-11 02:38 PM | Allen Scott

Russia’s Central Bank may soon allow and regulate transactions in Bitcoin, according to a leading Moscow newspaper.

Bank of Russia Begins Blockchain Studies; Rumors of Future State-Run BitRuble Persist

2015-09-19 12:50 AM | Evander Smart

Russia has decided to begin work on a new national digital currency, the Bit-ruble, that will be managed and overseen by the state central banking system, according to late evening reports out of El Mundo in Spain.

Russia’s MinFin Wants to Jail Bitcoin Users for 4 Years

2015-10-26 10:15 AM | William Suberg

Russia’s Ministry of Finance (MinFin) has proposed jail sentences for the use of cryptocurrency, strengthening its opposition to the technology.

Russians Can Pay Internet and Phone Bills with Bitcoin without Fees

2016-01-11 09:00 AM | Lana Smiley

Megafon and other mobile operators accept Bitcoin as a payment for their services.

Russian Authorities Blacklist 5 Bitcoin-Related Websites

2015-01-13 12:45 PM | Allen Scott

The Federal Supervision Agency for Information Technologies and Communications (Roskomnadzor in Russian) has blacklisted five Bitcoin-related websites.

Russia's Largest Social Network Vkontakte Embraces Bitcoin

2014-11-14 06:51 PM | Allen Scott

As of January 2014, VK.com had at least 239 million accounts. VK is ranked 8th (as of August 1, 2014) in Alexa's global Top 500 sites and is the 2nd most visited website in Russia, after Yandex.

Russia’s Bitcoin Ban Expected in August; Expert Recommends Businesses ‘Get Out’

2015-04-02 02:23 PM | Allen Scott

The proposed law to ban Bitcoin in Russia is expected to be passed in August of this year, as a crypto-legal expert recommends businesses “get out of Russian jurisdiction.”

Bitcoin in North Korea and Other Places You’d Never Expect

2015-05-24 04:07 PM | Joseph Young

The number of bitcoin merchants surpassed the 100,000 mark in 2015 and has grown across Europe and Asia due to the expansion of well-established bitcoin startups.

Russia Hastens to Fine Bitcoin Users 1 Million Rubles

2014-12-11 11:34 AM | Allen Scott

A group of State Duma representatives are expected to submit their own version of the bill to penalize cryptocurrency users within the next few days

Russian Bank Refuses to Pay Half Million Dollar Ransom in Bitcoin

2015-07-27 02:36 PM | Allen Scott

Bank Saint-Petersburg has refused to pay a ransom to hackers who managed to steal the account information of over 300 thousand clients.

Russia’s Putin: Bitcoin ‘Can Be Used in Some Account’

2015-07-15 02:35 PM | William Suberg

Russian president Vladimir Putin has stated that use of Bitcoin “as some kind of unit in some account” is “possible” in a surprisingly supportive gesture towards the currency

Russian Ministry of Finance: Anti-Bitcoin Law ‘Will Finally Be Passed This Year’

2015-03-23 03:02 PM | Allen Scott

Speaking at the All-Russian Banking Conference, Deputy Minister of Finance Alexey Mioseev stated that the bill proposing penalties for using “monetary surrogates” will finally become law this year.

In Victory for Crypto Community, Russian Court Lifts Ban on Bitcoin Sites

2015-05-16 09:09 AM | Allen Scott

A court in Ekaterinburg, Russia has effectively lifted the ban to Bitcoin-related websites blocked in January by authorities.

Will Bitcoin Legalization in Russia Show the Way for CIS Countries?

2015-12-26 12:46 PM | Lana Smiley

“United Russia” party submitted a new bill to Duma which contains provisions on partial legalization of Bitcoin.

Russia’s Blocked Bitcoin Website, Btcsec: ‘We Have No Plans to Close’

2015-01-21 02:40 PM | Allen Scott

Ivan Tikhonov, founder of Russia’s blocked Bitcoin website, Btcsec, goes to court to fight the ban, but expects further steps from the authorities to suppress Bitcoin activities.

Crypto Foundation Russia Head's Political Extremism Makes a Convenient Enemy for Govt, Banking Lobby (Op-Ed)

2015-04-20 06:30 PM | Cyril Gilson

The Russian government sees a threat in cryptocurrency – possibly due to the fact that the leading Bitcoin organization is headed by Igor Chepkasov.

Ukraine Hardens Stance on Bitcoin as Russia Lowers Proposed Penalties for Crypto Users

2014-11-11 12:40 PM | Allen Scott

The virtual currency Bitcoin cannot be used in Ukraine as a means of payment. The above was announced in a post on the official website of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU). According to the regulator, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies represent "money substitutes.”

Head of Russia’s Largest Bank Admits to Own Bitcoin as ‘BitRuble’ Sparks Controversy

2015-09-17 05:51 PM | Evander Smart

While a new digital currency proposed by payments services company Qiwi, dubbed the BitRuble, has led to harsh criticism from a top Russian official, the head of the country’s largest bank Sberbank has admitted to owning bitcoin.

Russia Blocks Finnish Bitcoin Exchange, Reasons Not Explained

2016-09-16 01:00 PM | Angus Leung

Russia blacklists Finnish Bitcoin exchange LocalBitcoins for unknown reasons.

Operations With Bitcoin in Russia Do Not Entail Punishment. Yet.

2016-08-15 10:10 AM | Alisa Tciriulnikova

Russian authorities refused the idea of introducing punishment for transactions with Bitcoin

Russia to Treat Bitcoin as Foreign Currency and Enable Trading

2016-07-19 05:05 PM | Joseph Young

The Russian Ministry of Finance and the country’s lawmakers are set to treat cryptocurrencies including bitcoin as a foreign currency.

Under Threat of Ban, Qiwi Says It Has Business As Usual

2016-07-15 05:10 PM | Alisa Tciriulnikova

Russian authorities issued an official warning to block Qiwi and Skrill, gave them three days to comply with the order.

Russian Authorities Threaten to Ban Major Payment Services QIWI and Skrill

2016-07-15 12:25 PM | Neer Varshney

In its war against online gambling, Russian authorities are now targeting major online payment services.Qiwi and Skrill.

Russia Takes its Relationship with Blockchain to the Next Level, Forms its Own R3 Consortium

2016-07-13 01:55 PM | Alisa Tciriulnikova

The Central Bank of Russia and a number of large financial institutions sign a memorandum to begin collaborative work on researching and testing of Blockchain technology.

First Foreign VPN Provider Leaves Russia Because of Repressive New Law

2016-07-13 11:00 AM | Joël Valenzuela

Private Internet Access, a VPN provider, is saying goodbye to Russia because of a law that would force them to log their customers’ traffic for up to a year.

Moscow Joins Race to Wreck London As Global Fintech Capital

2016-07-02 04:40 PM | Alisa Tciriulnikova

Putin’s business ombudsman says Russia must become the world’s Blockchain leader. There are currently around 500 000 of Blockchain users in Russia.

Payment Operator Qiwi to Create Russian Blockchain Consortium in the Manner of R3

2016-06-16 03:35 PM | Alisa Tciriulnikova

Recognizing the potential for development of blockchain technology in the country, Russian payment operator Qiwi is seeking to establish a consortium of banks similar to the New York-based R3.

I Love You, I Hate You: Russia Never Gets Bored With Blockchain

2016-06-02 11:00 AM | Alisa Tciriulnikova

The situation around development and introduction of cryptocurrencies in Russia is far from being clear. State authorities and major financial institutions fail to reach an agreement concerning regulation of digital currencies and their legal status.

Ethereum to Open Blockchain Research Center in Russia’s Silicon Valley

2016-05-19 10:01 AM | Andrew Marshall

Ethereum blockchain platform is to open a blockchain research center in Skolkovo (Russian counterpart of Silicon Valley), and partner with Acronis, a data management company.

Russia’s Largest Bank Adopts Blockchain, Develops App for Conversational Commerce

2016-05-16 05:10 PM | Alisa Tciriulnikova

In the heart of Silicon Valley which booms with innovation, Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank has announced the developing and testing of a new mobile application for conversational commerce - Sberbank Messenger.

Russia Tests Blockchain Voting, Plans to Launch It in 2017

2016-05-02 01:00 PM | Alisa Tciriulnikova

National Settlement Depository, Russia’s central securities depository, has successfully tested an e-proxy voting system based on a distributed ledger (blockchain) technology.

Russian Law Enforcement Considers Further Criminalizing Cryptocurrencies

2016-04-20 04:30 PM | Andrew Marshall

Alexander Bastrykin published an article in the Kommersant daily. In it, he has suggested that the state should introduce criminal punishment for “illegal issuance and circulation of cryptocurrencies” as a means to combat the “hybrid war”, which is allegedly being waged against Russia by the West, under the command of ...

Panama meets Bollywood: Mossack Fonseca, Amitabh Bachchan and Putinophobia

2016-04-06 03:20 PM | Shivdeep Dhaliwal

From beautiful people to heads of states, the Panama Papers leaks have served as a great equaliser and have started bringing the high and mighty to their knees.

Governments vs Bitcoin: A Fight For Control

2016-03-31 10:30 AM | Iyke Aru

The Vanbex Group has published a report focusing on the actions of the Russian government and other nations towards Bitcoin.

Tech Hooligan BitRuble Remains Unaffected by Russia’s Crypto Ban

2016-03-21 05:10 PM | Andrew Marshall

Russian Ministry of Finance proposed to introduce imprisonment for issuing and using “money substitutes”. One of the such currencies is BitRuble.

Russian Ministry of Finance Proposes 7 Years in Prison for Cryptocurrency Use

2016-03-11 03:20 PM | Sandoval Alex

Thursday the Russian Ministry of Finance proposed to punish citizens that use so-called “money surrogates” like Bitcoin with up to 7 years in prison.

Russians Can Pay Internet and Phone Bills with Bitcoin without Fees

2016-01-11 09:00 AM | Lana Smiley

Megafon and other mobile operators accept Bitcoin as a payment for their services.

Will Bitcoin Legalization in Russia Show the Way for CIS Countries?

2015-12-26 12:46 PM | Lana Smiley

“United Russia” party submitted a new bill to Duma which contains provisions on partial legalization of Bitcoin.

Russia Warns About MMM Collapse In China

2015-11-12 03:01 PM | Nina Lyon

Yury Chikhanchin, the Director of the Federal Financial Monitoring Service in Russia warned about the future collapse of the MMM Pyramid Scheme of Sergei Mavrodi in China.

Russia Expected to Legalize Bitcoin P2P Transactions

2015-06-11 02:38 PM | Allen Scott

Russia’s Central Bank may soon allow and regulate transactions in Bitcoin, according to a leading Moscow newspaper.

Is This Man the Reason Behind the Bitcoin Price Surge?

2015-11-05 08:15 PM | Walid Dib

Bitcoin price analysts are struggling to identify the rationale behind the sudden price spike in the cryptocurrency’s value as it broke the US$400 mark on November 3, surpassing a market cap of more than US$6 billion.

Bank of Russia Begins Blockchain Studies; Rumors of Future State-Run BitRuble Persist

2015-09-19 12:50 AM | Evander Smart

Russia has decided to begin work on a new national digital currency, the Bit-ruble, that will be managed and overseen by the state central banking system, according to late evening reports out of El Mundo in Spain.

Russia Hastens to Fine Bitcoin Users 1 Million Rubles

2014-12-11 11:34 AM | Allen Scott

A group of State Duma representatives are expected to submit their own version of the bill to penalize cryptocurrency users within the next few days

Last Event in Russia? Bitcoin Conference Returning to Saint-Petersburg

2014-11-24 05:54 PM | Allen Scott

Bitcoin Conference is headed to Saint-Petersburg and CoinTelegraph is proud to announce that it will be the official general media sponsor of the event.

Russian Authorities Blacklist 5 Bitcoin-Related Websites

2015-01-13 12:45 PM | Allen Scott

The Federal Supervision Agency for Information Technologies and Communications (Roskomnadzor in Russian) has blacklisted five Bitcoin-related websites.

Crypto Foundation Russia Head's Political Extremism Makes a Convenient Enemy for Govt, Banking Lobby (Op-Ed)

2015-04-20 06:30 PM | Cyril Gilson

The Russian government sees a threat in cryptocurrency – possibly due to the fact that the leading Bitcoin organization is headed by Igor Chepkasov.

A Russian Farmer Sows His Own Currency to Aid Rural Population

2015-06-29 05:03 PM | Raunaq Vaisoha

Mikhail Shlyapnikov, a farmer in the isolated Russian village of Kolionovo believes the answer to the woes of the cash-strapped Russian rural population is “kolions.”

Russia’s MinFin Wants to Jail Bitcoin Users for 4 Years

2015-10-26 10:15 AM | William Suberg

Russia’s Ministry of Finance (MinFin) has proposed jail sentences for the use of cryptocurrency, strengthening its opposition to the technology.

Russia’s Blocked Bitcoin Website, Btcsec: ‘We Have No Plans to Close’

2015-01-21 02:40 PM | Allen Scott

Ivan Tikhonov, founder of Russia’s blocked Bitcoin website, Btcsec, goes to court to fight the ban, but expects further steps from the authorities to suppress Bitcoin activities.

All ‘BitRouble’ Domains Scooped Up for Millions by Russian Payment Service Provider Qiwi

2015-09-19 11:50 AM | Erin Lace

Russian payment service provider Qiwi has registered all domain names such as bitrouble.com, bitrouble.org, bitru.rf, and bitrub.li, according to the Russian newspaper “Kommersant.”

BitRuble? First Russian Cryptocurrency Announced by Qiwi

2015-09-16 10:50 AM | Erin Lace

Russian payment service provider Qiwi has reportedly invested “several hundred million rubles” to develop the first cryptocurrency designed for the Russian market.

Russia’s Bitcoin Ban Expected in August; Expert Recommends Businesses ‘Get Out’

2015-04-02 02:23 PM | Allen Scott

The proposed law to ban Bitcoin in Russia is expected to be passed in August of this year, as a crypto-legal expert recommends businesses “get out of Russian jurisdiction.”

Russians Can Pay Internet and Phone Bills with Bitcoin without Fees

2016-01-11 09:00 AM | Lana Smiley

Megafon and other mobile operators accept Bitcoin as a payment for their services.

Bitcoin in North Korea and Other Places You’d Never Expect

2015-05-24 04:07 PM | Joseph Young

The number of bitcoin merchants surpassed the 100,000 mark in 2015 and has grown across Europe and Asia due to the expansion of well-established bitcoin startups.

Bitcoin’s Price ‘Melody’ Made Audible in Russia’s Capital

2015-09-15 10:45 AM | Erin Lace

While Russian authorities are scratching their heads about cryptocurrency, Bitcoin is being put in the spotlight in the center of Moscow.

404 Forever? The Present and Future of Internet Censorship

2015-10-02 04:07 PM | William Suberg

In 2015, the reality of blocked or ‘censored’ websites continues to be a major phenomenon regardless of geographical location.

Ukraine Hardens Stance on Bitcoin as Russia Lowers Proposed Penalties for Crypto Users

2014-11-11 12:40 PM | Allen Scott

The virtual currency Bitcoin cannot be used in Ukraine as a means of payment. The above was announced in a post on the official website of the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU). According to the regulator, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies represent "money substitutes.”

Russia’s Biggest Bank Wants To Adopt Blockchain. Not Bitcoin

2015-12-10 04:45 PM | Martin Rojko

Sberbank, the biggest bank in Russia might adopt blockchain technology in the future.