Crypto Regulations in Russia: What You Need to Know About Trading, Sanctions, and Underground Networks

When it comes to crypto regulations in Russia, a complex mix of official bans and unofficial workarounds that let digital assets keep flowing despite government pressure. Also known as Russian cryptocurrency rules, this system isn’t about stopping crypto—it’s about controlling who moves money and how. While the government claims to oppose unregulated digital currencies, real-world use keeps growing. People aren’t giving up Bitcoin or USDT—they’re just finding new ways to use them.

One of the biggest players in this gray zone is Garantex, a crypto exchange that was sanctioned by the U.S. but still operates through shadow networks like Grinex and Exved. Also known as Russian crypto exchange, it’s not just a platform—it’s a lifeline for traders trying to move money out of the country without going through banks. The sanctions didn’t kill it; they just pushed it underground. Meanwhile, crypto laundering, the use of shell companies and stablecoins to disguise the origin of funds. Also known as crypto money laundering, it’s become a routine part of the system, not a rare exception. You won’t find official reports saying this is happening, but you’ll see it in the data: millions in USDT moving through obscure platforms with no KYC, no oversight, and no accountability.

It’s not just about exchanges. Russian crypto traders, people who use crypto daily to protect savings from inflation, pay for imports, or send money abroad. Also known as crypto users in Russia, they’re not speculators—they’re survivors. With banks freezing accounts and the ruble unstable, crypto is the only reliable tool left for many. Even though mining is technically restricted, some still run operations using cheap regional power, while others trade through Telegram groups or peer-to-peer apps. The government talks about control, but the people are already one step ahead.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t theory—it’s real cases. From how traders bypass U.S. sanctions to why a dead exchange like Garantex still has active users, these aren’t hypotheticals. They’re snapshots of a market that refuses to die, even when the rules say it should. You’ll see how people use USDT as cash, how shell companies replace banks, and why no one in Russia trusts official crypto advice anymore. This isn’t about hype or moonshots. It’s about survival, adaptation, and the quiet, messy reality of money when the system breaks down.