- Cryptocurrencies and Geopolitics
- Reasons for Distrust in Bitcoin
- The Future of Cryptocurrencies in Russia
Russia’s president Vladimir Putin has changed his stance on cryptocurrencies over the past four years. He aims to reduce Russia's dependency on the US economy but remains skeptical of cryptocurrencies he cannot control.
Cryptocurrencies and Geopolitics
Putin's main goal is to eliminate the influence of the US and its sanctions. However, cryptocurrencies cannot fully meet these requirements as they are too new and volatile. Putin has legalized crypto mining and the use of cryptocurrencies for international payments, but this only applies to citizens and businesses, not the government. New laws take effect this month for cross-border payments and in November for mining. These measures aim to ease sanctions and simplify international transactions for Russians. The Central Bank of Russia can block certain assets if they pose a risk to the country’s financial stability.
Reasons for Distrust in Bitcoin
Bitcoin is considered revolutionary, but it is also very sensitive to market fluctuations. For example, the US government owns over 203,000 BTC. Selling these assets could crash the Bitcoin market. This poses high risks for the Russian economy. Unlike smaller countries such as El Salvador, Russia is too large to handle such volatility. Abandoning the dollar in favor of Bitcoin could make Putin dependent on America again.
The Future of Cryptocurrencies in Russia
Putin prefers to create a new BRICS digital currency that can be controlled. A previous option was the Chinese yuan, but it does not meet all requirements. The euro is also unsuitable due to strained relations with the EU. Putin seeks alliances with Iran, North Korea, Turkey, UAE, India, and China. If Trump wins the next US election, the plan could change, as Putin and Trump respect each other. Putin is likely to work with Trump to find a balance that allows saving the Russian economy without crashing America's.
Putin's stance on cryptocurrencies remains cautious. He prefers controlled digital currencies and builds alliances to strengthen the Russian economy. The future of cryptocurrencies in Russia will depend on various factors, including global geopolitics and domestic economic interests.
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