A select group of Russian firms has been granted permission to utilize digital currencies for paying Chinese imports under a pilot legal framework. This group consists of electronics producers, financial institutions, and specific members from the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The companies involved primarily handle dual-use products, which have both commercial and military applications.
These businesses had encountered difficulties with international payment processes, particularly with China, and were selected for their substantial transaction volumes. The Russian central bank, alongside the Ministry of Finance, is supervising the initiative, which allows for regulated cryptocurrency-based trade exchanges. Mikhail Uspensky, from the State Duma’s expert council on cryptocurrency regulation, noted that entry into the program is selective, potentially excluding medium-sized enterprises.
Although Russian law does not explicitly prohibit cryptocurrency use for purchases or international deals outside this experimental framework, legal ambiguities persist. The framework streamlines the process of converting digital currencies into fiat money through banks, yet there are concerns that efforts to evade sanctions might be easily traced due to the transparency of blockchain technology.
Yuri Brisov, a partner at the consulting firm Digital & Anologue Partners, emphasized that while cryptocurrency can simplify trade, it is not immune to sanctions. He pointed out that all blockchain transactions are publicly verifiable, warning that attempts to use the system to circumvent sanctions could lead to a swift shutdown.
Officials highlight that the focus of the experiment should remain on activities and nations that have not sanctioned Russia, cautioning that misuse could jeopardize the program’s success.
