Russia is preparing to amend its criminal code to include cryptocurrency-related terms. The change would assist law enforcement in confiscating coins during investigations.
The bill, drafted by the Ministry of Justice, is set to be presented to the State Duma shortly. At present, cryptocurrency lacks legal status in general criminal cases, causing complications for police and prosecutors.
The absence of legal definitions for crypto-related terms has made investigations and confiscations challenging, especially for assets held in online wallets. Experts note that the bill will clarify crypto handling procedures but may raise questions about previous court seizures.
Some legal professionals have welcomed the move, but concerns have been raised about protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens. Others stress the need for law enforcement to be properly equipped and trained before implementing such changes.
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Panama City has announced that it will accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins like USDC and Tether as payment for public services. The decision marks a significant step forward in the country’s growing acceptance of cryptocurrencies. Locals will be able to use these digital assets to pay for taxes, permits, fees, and tickets.
The city’s council approved the proposal this week, and Mayor Mayer Mizrachi confirmed the move on social media. Panama City will partner with banks to facilitate the conversion of cryptocurrencies into fiat currency. It will make payments easier and more accessible for residents.
While Panama City’s stance on crypto has evolved, lawmakers have not always been in favour of digital assets. In 2022, President Laurentino Cortizo vetoed a bill to regulate Bitcoin and decentralised organisations, citing the need for better alignment with Panama’s financial system.
However, Panama’s move mirrors the increasing global adoption of cryptocurrencies. Other nations like El Salvador and the Central African Republic have already recognised Bitcoin as legal tender. Some Swiss regions have also started accepting digital currencies for public services.
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Moscow is set to host the Global Blockchain Forum 2025 from 23-24 April, attracting over 15,000 crypto enthusiasts worldwide.
The event will feature prominent figures from the crypto industry, including Justin Sun, founder of Tron, and Ivan Chebeskov, Russia’s deputy finance minister.
The forum’s primary aim is to strengthen ties between Russia and the global crypto community. The vision is to make Russia a leading hub for blockchain and cryptocurrency innovation.
The forum will cover critical topics, including global crypto adoption. Bitcoin’s future in 2025 will also be discussed, along with Russia’s stance on cryptocurrencies amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. Over 100 experts from more than 100 countries will contribute to the discussions.
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The exchange’s APAC Managing Director, John O’Loghlen, described the current policy environment as vague and unfit to support long-term growth in the sector.
The company outlined five urgent priorities for the next government. These include forming a crypto taskforce within 100 days and addressing the country’s worsening debanking problem. It also called for enabling stablecoin use and providing clearer tax rules for Web3 projects.
Despite high adoption rates, the blog post stressed that unclear regulation is pushing talent and investment overseas.
Coinbase noted that wealthy Australians still hold limited crypto, suggesting caution. Despite recent proposals, it says stronger legislation is needed to keep Australia competitive.
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Russian officials have proposed new measures to curb illegal online gambling. The plan involves targeting cryptocurrency payments and restricting access to unlicensed casino platforms.
Yevgeny Masharov, a senior policymaker, outlined plans to block crypto transactions. He also proposed restricting access to websites and apps linked to illicit gambling activities.
Masharov stressed that underage users are particularly vulnerable, noting that crypto-based casinos often skip identity checks and age verification. Parents are concerned that gamified gambling apps target children. Masharov warns that legal operators are losing out to more convenient illegal platforms.
Doubts remain over how effective such measures could be. Russians have previously bypassed state bans using VPNs, most notably during the failed Telegram block in 2018. Despite efforts to outlaw VPNs, many continue to use them freely.
Russia’s evolving stance on cryptocurrency includes its use in international trade and Bitcoin mining. These developments could complicate efforts to restrict crypto use in domestic online gambling.
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China and Russia have reportedly started using Bitcoin for settling certain energy transactions. It is a development that signals a shift away from the US dollar in global trade.
The move comes amid growing trade tensions and increasing interest in decentralised digital assets. According to Matthew Sigel, Head of Digital Assets Research at VanEck, Bitcoin’s role in trade is evolving beyond speculation.
The report highlights a growing trend of using digital assets in practical commerce, particularly in energy markets. Bitcoin’s neutral and decentralised nature makes it an appealing option for countries facing financial restrictions.
The shift may reinforce Bitcoin’s role as a hedge against monetary instability as international players are seeking alternative settlement methods.
Bolivia also plans to use cryptocurrency for power imports, while EDF is exploring Bitcoin mining to monetise surplus electricity.
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A Russian logistics firm, ETE Group, has requested that the Prime Minister establish a regulatory framework for using cryptocurrency in international trade. In a letter to the Prime Minister, the company called for changes to Russia’s Civil and Tax Codes to allow crypto transactions with foreign suppliers.
ETE Group, based in Moscow and Vladivostok, noted that the lack of regulation creates risks for businesses seeking to use cryptocurrency for payments. The firm has observed a significant rise in interest in crypto payments, with business sector interest increasing by 40% in 2024.
ETE Group believes that introducing regulations for crypto issuance, circulation, and accounting will help resolve ongoing issues with international payments. The firm particularly highlights delays caused by sanctions and the disconnection of Russian firms from the SWIFT network.
Russia’s sanctions, imposed after the war in Ukraine, have disrupted trade with countries like China and Kazakhstan, with payment delays often extending from weeks to months. ETE Group has stated that using crypto could offer a solution, bypassing traditional financial systems.
The company also highlighted that while Russian law currently prohibits crypto payments for goods, growing interest in the technology could prompt a policy change.
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The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has officially approved options trading on spot Ethereum exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
The approval covers several spot Ethereum ETFs, including BlackRock’s iShares Ethereum Trust, Bitwise Ethereum ETF, Grayscale’s Ethereum Trust, and the Ethereum Mini Trust.
Options trading allows investors to speculate on the future price of Ethereum without owning the asset directly. The new development enables traders to employ strategies like covered calls or buffered exposure, adding depth to the Ethereum market.
The move follows the SEC’s green light for spot Ethereum ETFs last year, which have seen significant net inflows of $2.34 billion.
Ethereum’s market has faced challenges recently, with a 45% drop in value during the first quarter of 2025. Despite this, the introduction of options trading on Ethereum ETFs could provide fresh momentum for the asset. The approval is expected by October.
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The President of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Zhaparov, announced a new collaboration between the National Investment Agency and Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the founder of Binance. The agreement focuses on developing the cryptocurrency and blockchain technology ecosystem within the Kyrgyz Republic.
The partnership will see CZ provide infrastructural and technological support. It will also include consultancy on crypto and blockchain initiatives. Additionally, educational programmes will be implemented to support the country’s development in these fields.
Zhao expressed his excitement about advising Kyrgyzstan, emphasising the importance of expanding crypto adoption globally. In a post on X, he highlighted his role in advising several governments on crypto regulatory frameworks and blockchain solutions.
He also clarified that his involvement is strictly related to cryptocurrency and does not extend to politics. The advisory role forms part of CZ’s broader strategy to enhance blockchain’s reach beyond just trading.
President Zhaparov views this collaboration as a significant step towards strengthening the country’s technological capabilities. The partnership aims to drive innovation, build expertise, and boost economic growth and security.
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Bybit, one of the largest cryptocurrency exchanges, has announced the discontinuation of its NFT marketplace. The platform will also shut down its Initial DEX Offering (IDO) product pages.
The decision comes shortly after the platform suffered a devastating security breach in February 2025. During the breach, it lost approximately $1.5 billion to North Korean hackers.
Although Bybit has cited ‘efforts to streamline our offerings’ as the reason for the shutdown, many believe it is a direct consequence of the hack and subsequent security concerns.
The discontinuation will take effect on 8 April 2025, at 16:00 UTC. Users have been urged to manage their assets before the deadline.
The exchange provided alternative NFT trading platforms, including OpenSea, Blur, and Magic Eden, for Ethereum-based assets. IDO participants have also been advised to transfer their airdropped tokens to private Web3 wallets.
The platform’s decision to shut down its NFT and IDO services is seen as a move to mitigate further risks and potential compliance issues. Bybit’s shutdown follows a broader trend in the NFT market, where many platforms have closed.
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