Russia Moves to Legalize Crypto Payments in International Trade

The country’s Ministry of Finance and Central Bank have reached a groundbreaking agreement to permit the use of cryptocurrencies for foreign trade transactions, marking a historic moment for how the nation conducts international business.

Crypto Gains Government Approval for Global Payments

Finance Minister Anton Siluanov announced the decision after a government strategy session focused on boosting efficiency and modernizing trade mechanisms. He explained that the state intends to move crypto from a loosely monitored market into a properly regulated framework. According to Siluanov, legalization will help Russia adopt digital payment systems capable of functioning independently from Western financial infrastructure.

This shift is partly driven by necessity. Over the past several years, sanctions and restrictions have cut off Russian banks from international payment channels such as SWIFT. By enabling crypto-based transactions, Russian firms can settle imports and exports without relying on traditional intermediaries. The policy effectively opens a new lifeline for cross-border settlements at a time when access to conventional finance remains limited.

A Strategic Response to Economic Isolation

Officials describe the move as both an economic and geopolitical strategy. Digital currencies allow faster and more direct payments across borders, offering a viable solution for businesses struggling under global restrictions. The Finance Ministry believes this approach could strengthen trade relationships with partners willing to accept crypto, improving liquidity and trade continuity.

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Siluanov emphasized that the initiative does not represent an unregulated free-for-all. The Ministry of Finance plans to collaborate with Rosfinmonitoring, Russia’s financial intelligence unit, to track and monitor crypto transactions. The goal is to ensure that the system operates transparently and aligns with anti-money-laundering and compliance standards.

From Resistance to Recognition

The agreement underscores a major shift in Russia’s official stance toward digital assets. For years, the government maintained a cautious attitude, warning against the speculative nature of cryptocurrencies. However, the rapid adoption of crypto by the public—estimated at more than 20 million holders—has forced policymakers to reconsider.

Recent legislative proposals treating cryptocurrencies as property hinted at this change, but the new decision takes things further by opening the door to full-scale integration into global trade. Experts say that if implemented effectively, Russia could become one of the first major economies to use digital assets as a state-approved mechanism for international payments.

By aligning regulation with innovation, Russia appears poised to turn crypto from a controversial alternative into a strategic economic tool that could redefine how the country interacts with the global market.

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