Russia Eyes Crypto for Military and Foreign Trade as Central Bank Flags Risks

Key Takeaways

• Russia is looking to use crypto for military and foreign trades.
• Regulators have formed specialized focus groups for the crypto trials. 
• Russia’s central bank continues to sound alarm against crypto use.

Russia is looking to test out crypto payments for cross-border settlements.

Among the first sectors to be tested will be those that face the greatest hurdles in settling payments, particularly “dual-use” goods, where products like advanced software or electronic components can serve both civilian and military ends.

These trials come as the Russian central bank continues to sound the alarm about the potential risks of widespread crypto adoption, warning that it could damage the stability of the national currency.

Russia Forms Focus Group To Test Crypto Payments

To navigate the complexities of its crypto trials, Russian regulators have formed high-level focus groups comprising industry heavyweights and regulators.

This working group, established within the country’s experimental legal regime (ELR), brings together key players who have long struggled with settling foreign trades and payments.

Among the group’s members are several major banks and importers, as well as influential trade organizations like the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Russia (CCI) and the Association of Electronics Developers and Manufacturers (ARPE).

Notably, the selection process prioritized larger companies, which are seen as having a greater stake in the experiment’s success.

The recent trials come weeks after the Russian legislative council passed legislation allowing the use of crypto under the experimental legal regime on Sept. 1. 

According to Anatoly Aksakov, head of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets, the Central Bank will oversee the adoption of crypto payments for foreign commercial activity, with a plan to implement controls by November.

Aksakov acknowledged that Russia is already using crypto to settle foreign transactions , with a billion-dollar volume.

Central Bank Flags Crypto Use

Despite President Vladimir Putin’s apparent thawing towards the industry, the Russian Central Bank has consistently sounded the alarm on the dangers of crypto.

The central bank has warned that the lack of international regulation could lead to a surge in digital currencies, undermining the stability of the already beleaguered Ruble and potentially eroding the use of national currencies.

In its latest draft document , “Main Directions for the Development of the Financial Market of the Russian Federation for 2025 and the Period of 2026 and 2027,” the central bank explicitly identifies the rise of crypto as a key risk factor for Russia.

The warning comes as the central bank assumes the role of overseeing Russia’s crypto trials and prepares to launch a cross-border crypto payments infrastructure by year-end.