VTB, Russia’s second-largest bank by assets, will let clients buy and sell cryptocurrencies directly via brokerage accounts starting next year, expanding beyond its current derivatives exposure.
Authorities have widened the digital ruble pilot to more than 20 banks and remote regions, including Crimea, as preparations continue for a full launch planned in 2026.
UAE police say they recovered the bodies of Russian crypto blogger Roman Novak and his wife in a case described as an alleged kidnapping, torture and murder tied to cryptocurrency disputes. Authorities have opened a criminal investigation as inquiries continue.
Russia’s Treasury will begin accepting federal budget payments in the digital ruble starting early 2026, formalizing state use of the CBDC. The step could accelerate broader adoption and improve settlement efficiency.
Russia’s central bank has relaxed rules to allow mutual funds to allocate to cryptocurrencies, a targeted move designed to attract institutional capital while preserving guardrails for financial stability.
Russian police arrested a young man after he threatened employees of a cryptocurrency exchange with smoke and airsoft grenades in an attempted robbery. Reports indicate at least one device resembled a fake grenade.
A senior official at Russia’s monetary authority said the forthcoming digital ruble is unlikely to become a major store of private wealth, benefiting the state and broader economy more than individual savers. The comment suggests limited retail uptake is expected once the CBDC launches.
Russian authorities have rolled out a new energy-consumption monitoring system combined with anonymous public tips to locate illicit crypto mining operations, leading to the seizure of a large underground facility in western Russia.
Senators Elizabeth Warren and Jack Reed have called for an investigation into a crypto company tied to Donald Trump, citing alleged links to illicit actors in North Korea and Russia. The move raises fresh questions about sanctions compliance and regulatory oversight in the crypto sector.
Russian authorities have reintroduced a temporary ban on cryptocurrency mining in Buryatia and Transbaikal, effective through the winter and lasting until spring to curb electricity shortages during peak demand. The move is widely viewed as negative for miners and the broader crypto sector.