$ETH Russian Stock Exchange Denies Reports it Is About to Launch State-run Crypto Exchange

Crypto ExchangeRussia

Saint Petersburg Currency Exchange says it does not have any plans to provide “services related to cryptocurrencies.”

A major Russian stock exchange has denied reports that it is on the verge of launching a state-run crypto trading platform.

Earlier this week, unnamed insiders reportedly told major Russian news outlets that the Saint Petersburg and Moscow exchanges were ready to roll out crypto exchange services.

But in a statement on its website, the Saint Petersburg Currency Exchange (SPVB) stated that it does not have any plans to provide “any services related to cryptocurrencies.”

Russian Stock Exchange: We Have No Crypto Plans

The SPVB said it was responding to “reports in a number of media outlets.” And it refuted claims that it has any “plans” in place regarding crypto.

The reports that appeared in a number of media outlets that the St. Petersburg Currency Exchange plans to become one of the platforms for trading crypto assets are not true. Our approved development strategy is focused on developing our own products and services in the money and stock markets. They do not involve the provision of any services related to cryptocurrencies.”

Saint Petersburg Currency Exchange

However, it appears that there is no smoke without fire. Senior Moscow politicians have been talking up the idea of launching a state-run crypto exchange for the past few weeks.

This follows the approval of laws that will, from September 1, legalize industrial crypto mining and green-light the use of crypto as a payment tool in international trade.

The SPBV is also seeking a new head of anti-money laundering operations with crypto skills. The exchange posted a vacancy on the Headhunter (HH) recruiting site.

The posting reads that the new hire will be responsible for “developing AML/CFT rules for “transactions with digital financial assets and cryptocurrencies.”