Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said on Wednesday, according to the Russian news agency Ria Novosti, that cryptocurrencies could be legalized as a means of payment in Russia.
The finance ministry filed legislative recommendations that contrasted with the central bank’s desire for a complete ban only days before Russia moved tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine on February 24.
At a forum, Manturov was asked if he thought cryptocurrencies will become legal as a form of payment.
“The issue is how it will be controlled when this happens,” he responded, “given that the central bank and government are actively working on it. However, everyone seems to recognize that… this will be done, in some form or another, sooner or later.”
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