The Justice Department and CrowdStrike announced Tuesday they have disrupted the Russia-based Sality botnet, which has been operating since 2003. For the past eight years, the malware used EggJagger to steal Bitcoin and Ethereum by replacing copied cryptocurrency addresses with attackers' addresses, infecting over 15,000 machines.
Russia's largest bank announced plans to expand crypto-backed lending beyond Bitcoin, aiming to accept Ethereum and Tether's USDT as collateral as the country prepares new regulated crypto trading laws taking effect September 1.
High-ranking Russian law enforcement officials have received lengthy prison sentences for stealing large amounts of money from clients of the cryptocurrency exchange Garantex, which has been described as notorious.
Russia will begin the first mandatory stage of its central bank digital currency rollout on September 1, with major telecom companies MTS, Rostelecom, and MegaFon, along with e-commerce businesses, set to accept digital ruble payments. The state-backed currency launch proceeds while cryptocurrency remains banned in the country.
Russia's central bank will restrict retail cryptocurrency trading to only Bitcoin, Ether, and USDT on regulated exchanges beginning September 1, with non-qualified investors facing a 300,000-ruble annual limit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed legislation on August 4, 2026, creating Russia's first comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrency trading, exchanges, and digital assets. The law, effective September 2026, allows retail and qualified investors to purchase crypto through licensed intermediaries while maintaining a ban on crypto payments for domestic transactions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed landmark legislation creating a regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency market, including rules for retail trading. The law represents a significant shift in Russia's approach to digital assets.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed landmark legislation creating a regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency market, including rules for retail trading. The law represents a significant shift in Russia's approach to digital assets.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed landmark legislation creating a regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency market, including rules for retail trading. The law represents a significant shift in Russia's approach to digital assets.
Russia has extended its cryptocurrency mining restrictions to Moscow, the Moscow Region, and parts of Kursk Region, citing power supply concerns. The expansion reduces mining capacity in one of the world's major Bitcoin mining centers.
A Russian court transferred Igor Runets, founder of Russia's largest cryptocurrency mining operation BitRiver, from house arrest to a pretrial detention facility to face charges of large-scale fraud related to alleged failure to deliver crypto mining services.
Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, plans to build cryptocurrency trading infrastructure and launch a digital depository by December 1, 2026, following Russia's passage of its first comprehensive crypto market law.
Russia's State Duma approved landmark cryptocurrency legislation on July 21, 2026, establishing the country's first comprehensive legal framework for digital assets. The law, effective September 1, legalizes regulated crypto trading and cross-border settlements while maintaining a ban on domestic crypto payments and capping retail investors at $3,800 annually.
The Russian government is preparing to introduce fees and trade restrictions on cryptocurrencies issued by companies based in Western jurisdictions, potentially affecting billions in annual trading volume and marking a geopolitical shift in crypto regulation.
Russian crypto exchange Grinex halted trading services following a $13-15 million exploit that the exchange attributes to 'Western special services' or 'hostile states.' The exchange has been linked to sanctioned Garantex, with liquidity and users flowing between the platforms.
