Russia to Legalize Cryptocurrency Payments for Foreign Trade

The evidence provided strongly and consistently supports the statement that the Russian government is planning to, and has decided to, legalize cryptocurrency for foreign trade. Multiple high-authority sources (Kommersant, Vedomosti) directly quote Russia's Minister of Finance, Anton Siluanov, confirming that an agreement has been reached between the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank on this matter. The evidence goes beyond mere planning and agreement. One source (Vedomosti) reports that President Vladimir Putin has signed the relevant law, representing a final decision. Further sources detail the concrete steps taken, including the law's approval by the Federation Council (the upper house of parliament) and the launch of an 'experimental legal regime' for these transactions starting September 1, 2024. An official government news release from 2022 also confirms the planning phase, documenting instructions from the Prime Minister to formalize a position on the issue. While one source (RAND) notes the Central Bank's historical skepticism, other sources clarify that a consensus was ultimately reached for the specific purpose of foreign trade, resolving this internal debate. The mention of the 'digital ruble' in another source is a related but distinct topic and does not contradict the evidence regarding decentralized cryptocurrencies. The collective evidence paints a clear picture of a policy that has moved from the planning stage through the legislative process to a final decision and initial implementation.