Russia Legalizes Cryptocurrency for Global Trade Settlements

In a groundbreaking policy shift, Russia has officially legalized the use of cryptocurrencies for international trade settlements — a move seen as an effort to bypass Western sanctions and sustain global commerce.

The country’s Finance Ministry and Central Bank jointly agreed to develop a permanent legal framework that allows businesses to use digital currencies in cross-border transactions under strict government oversight.

Finance Minister Anton Siluanov confirmed the decision following a successful pilot program conducted in September 2025. He explained that the policy would enable Russian companies to conduct trade with friendly nations without relying on the SWIFT network or other Western-controlled payment systems.

The framework will be closely monitored by Rosfinmonitoring, Russia’s financial intelligence agency, to ensure transparency and compliance with anti-money laundering regulations.

Experts say the move could reshape global trade finance by promoting alternative payment systems among countries facing Western restrictions, particularly in energy and commodities sectors.