Local media report that residents of a North Caucasus republic continue mining cryptocurrencies despite a regional ban, causing over 1 billion rubles in damage to power utilities this year. Authorities warn the illegal activity is straining the grid and may trigger tougher enforcement.
VTB said on December 5, 2025 that it plans to offer spot cryptocurrency trading to clients in 2026, aiming to be the first Russian bank to provide direct access to spot markets. The rollout will depend on regulatory approvals and details about custody and trading partners.
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.