US May Consider Alexander Vinnik for Prisoner Exchange With Russia, Lawyer Says
Crypto exchange BTC-e’s alleged operator Alexander Vinnik may be a candidate for prisoner swap between the United States and Russia. That’s according to a statement by one of his lawyers for Russian media. The latest court hearing in Vinnik’s case has been postponed. David Rizk, who represents Vinnik in the U.S., commented on Vinnik’s potential return home in an interview with the RIA Novosti news agency, quoted by other Russian media and crypto news outlets. “I wouldn’t rule out that possibility,” he said. (Bitcoin.com)
Crypto Groups on Russian Social Media Hit by Bots Discrediting Bitcoin
Social media groups devoted to cryptocurrencies in Russia have been attacked by bots in what looks like a campaign against bitcoin and the like. Their comments on Russia’s largest social media platform are triggered by certain keywords like crypto and blockchain, members of the community have noticed.
State-Backed Crypto Mining Farm Under Construction in Russia’s Buryatia
A 100-megawatt data processing center dedicated to the minting of digital coins will open this year in Buryatia, a Russian republic in south-central Siberia, the Russian Far East and the Arctic Development Corporation (KRDV) announced.
Russian Government Subsidies Crypto Mining Facility in Siberia
The crypto mining industry has faced moratoriums in some parts of the U.S. and Canada in recent months. Now, Russia provides tax incentives for those who want to invest in crypto mining. The new $12 million crypto mining center will open in East Siberia with the direct support of the government.
Bitzlato Co-Founder Anton Shkurenko Arrested in Russia
Russian authorities have reportedly arrested the second co-founder of seized cryptocurrency exchange Bitzlato. The man, who recently promised to restore the platform’s operations from Russia, was detained at the request of Interpol and may face extradition to France.
Russia’s Gazprombank Recommends Slow CBDC Rollout Fearing Loss of Income
Gazprombank, a subsidiary of the leading Russian government-owned gas company, Gazprom, publicly proposed giving banks more time before implementing the digital ruble. The country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) project has been accelerating due to global financial sanctions amid geopolitical tensions.
Russia Expands Its Crypto Mining Capacity, Report Reveals
The capacity of Russian mining farms has exceeded 500 megawatts (MW) at the end 2022, according to results from a poll among established industry players published by the business daily Kommersant. The beginning of 2023 sets them up for continued growth, on the backdrop of a crypto market recovery, but the expansion could potentially be limited by electricity tariffs and taxes for miners, executives said.
Ethereum to Host Sberbank DeFi Platform As Russia Shifts Focus to Blockchain
Russia’s largest lender Sberbank is working on a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform to launch in May on Ethereum. According to a report shared with the local news agency, Interfax, the system is currently running a closed beta that will turn into open testing in March.
Russia's Sberbank Will Introduce DeFi Platform by May: Report
Russia's largest bank Sberbank will release a decentralized finance (DeFi) platform by May this year, according to a report by Russian news agency Interfax.
Banks in Russia to Lose $700 Million a Year Due to Digital Ruble, Experts Say
Russian banks may be the main losers from the introduction of a digital ruble while retailers will save on acquiring fees, analysts have predicted. The benefits for consumers using the new digital currency are not that obvious as they may not be paid any interest or cashback.
