Lithuania Fines Crypto Firm $10M for Russian Sanctions Violations

The Lithuanian Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT) has fined the crypto firm Payeer nearly 9.3 million euros ($10 million) for international sanctions violations and anti-money laundering (AML) breaches. Specifically, Payeer was fined 8.23 million euros for facilitating transactions in Russian rubles through its platform, involving sanctioned Russian banks and clients. Additionally, a 1.06 million euro […]

Vladimir Putin Says West’s Attempt to ‘Crush the Russian Economy’ Did Not Succeed

Last week the Russian ruble hit a seven-year high against the U.S. dollar and while analysts have downplayed the rise, one economist said people should not “ignore the exchange rate.” American economists have been perplexed about the ruble’s market performance and Russian officials have been quoted as saying that a strong ruble “makes Russian exports […]

American Economists Are Baffled by an ‘Unusual Situation’ as Russia’s Ruble Is the World’s Best Performing Fiat Currency

Two months after the Russian ruble fell below a U.S. penny, the transcontinental country’s fiat currency is the best performing currency worldwide. American economists are baffled by the “unusual situation” because a country facing stiff sanctions typically sees its fiat currency decline in value, but Russia’s ruble has done the exact opposite. Russia’s Ruble Outshines […]

ECB Chief: Cryptocurrencies Are ‘Certainly’ Being Used to Circumvent Russian Sanctions

The European Central Bank (ECB) warns cryptocurrencies are being used to evade sanctions by Russians. ECB President Christine Lagarde warns crypto firms against becoming “accomplices” in the crime. ECB President Lagarde Is Certain About Crypto Being Used to Evade Russian Sanctions Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank (ECB), said Tuesday at the Bank […]

US Senators Introduce Crypto Sanctions Bill — Expert Says It’s Overbroad, Unconstitutional

U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren and 10 other lawmakers have introduced the “Digital Asset Sanctions Compliance Enhancement Act of 2022.” The bill “would place sweeping restrictions on persons who build, operate, and use cryptocurrency networks even if they have no knowledge or intent to help evade sanctions,” an expert said. Lawmakers Unveil Digital Asset Sanctions Compliance […]

Report: LBMA Asks 6 Russian Gold Refiners if They Have Ties to Sanctioned Entities

The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) said it wants six accredited Russian gold refiners to clarify if they have commercial ties with sanctioned Russian entities. The association’s request comes a few days after it revoked the membership of three sanctioned Russian banks. LBMA Accreditation The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) has requested six Russian gold […]