ChainCatcher news, according to Cryptonews, the Russian Federal Tax Service has confirmed that Russian companies are applying for cryptocurrency mining licenses, with 150 applications submitted so far. The head of the Federal Tax Service, Daniil Egorov, stated that these applications were all submitted after November 1. Registrants must provide the Federal Tax Service with the cryptocurrency assets they mine, cryptocurrency wallet addresses, and other data.Private miners with a monthly electricity consumption of no more than 6,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) are exempt from registration.

ChainCatcher news, according to Cryptoslate, Russian President Putin proposed the establishment of a digital asset platform for BRICS countries during a speech at the Valdai Discussion Club, aiming to promote electronic payments and attract investment from developing markets through a unified digital asset system. This initiative is intended to facilitate investment flowing into emerging economies in South Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and could provide new channels for capital in high-growth regions.Putin emphasized the platform's potential to drive economic development in rapidly urbanizing areas. He highlighted the growth opportunities in these regions and pointed out that factors such as population growth, capital accumulation, and rising urbanization rates support the platform's focus.Putin discussed Russia's restrictions on dollar transactions due to sanctions and noted that Russia does not intend to completely abandon the dollar. Instead, he criticized the U.S. policies that limit the use of the dollar in international markets and stated that alternatives like the proposed BRICS digital asset platform could reduce dependence on the traditional Western financial system.

ChainCatcher news, the Federal Financial Monitoring Service of the Russian Federation (Rosfinmonitoring) emphasized that even if the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) decides to blacklist Russia, its anti-money laundering system will continue to operate effectively. Previous assessments mentioned issues related to virtual currency regulation, but Rosfinmonitoring insists that these issues have been resolved.According to TASS, the regulatory agency stated: "The Russian Federation has improved its ratings on three FATF recommendations, with only one being downgraded to 'partially compliant' due to insufficient legislative regulation in the field of virtual currency circulation."However, Rosfinmonitoring pointed out that since these assessments, Russia has passed two federal laws to strengthen its digital currency regulatory framework. The agency added: "Since then, the Russian Federation has passed two federal laws regulating the circulation of digital currencies."It is reported that the FATF is an intergovernmental organization that sets global standards for anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism. Whether Russia will be blacklisted will be discussed at the FATF plenary meeting from October 21 to 25.

ChainCatcher news, according to Decrypt, former Russian investigator Marat Tambiyev was sentenced to 16 years in prison for accepting approximately $73 million in Bitcoin bribes during an investigation into organized crime. This amount exceeds five times the highest bribe amount in Russian history.Marat Tambiyev is accused of transferring half of the criminal gang's Bitcoin into his own wallet, leaving the other half for the criminals. Investigators found the Bitcoin wallet keys in a folder on his laptop named "Pension."Marat Tambiyev insisted on his innocence in court, arguing that his actions helped the state recover part of the criminal gang's proceeds. According to Russian state media, he plans to appeal this verdict. Currently, one-third of the Bitcoin stored on Marat Tambiyev's computer has been recovered, while the whereabouts of the remaining portion remain unclear.

ChainCatcher news, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that it is still too early to discuss a unified currency due to the differences in financial regulation among BRICS member countries.Instead, the focus remains on strengthening financial sovereignty and exploring trade in local currencies. Ryabkov emphasized that BRICS countries are working to enhance their economic independence, and authorities are actively committed to establishing interconnected financial markets.

ChainCatcher News, the U.S. government has sanctioned two Russian cryptocurrency exchanges, PM2BTC and Cryptex, related to underground financial activities, as well as two individuals.The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the U.S. Treasury Department has designated PM2BTC and its associated individual Sergey Ivanov as "primary money laundering concerns," as the exchange is suspected of handling proceeds from ransomware and other illegal activities. Cryptex is alleged to be linked to Russian cybercriminals, involved in over $720 million in illegal transactions.The U.S. Secret Service Cyber Investigations Division, Dutch police, and the Dutch Financial Intelligence and Investigation Service have seized the network domains and infrastructure associated with PM2BTC, Cryptex, and Ivanov.

ChainCatcher news, according to Cointelegraph, since Binance announced its exit from Russia in September last year, the traffic to its local website has significantly decreased.According to data shared by web analytics platform SimilarWeb, from August 2023 to July 2024, Binance's website traffic in Russia dropped by 43%. Despite this noticeable decline, Russia remains one of the largest sources of traffic for the Binance website during this period, accounting for 6% of its total visits. The traffic share from Russia is comparable to other major markets for Binance, including Turkey and Vietnam, which account for 8% and 6.6% of its total traffic, respectively. Binance declined to disclose whether its significant traffic share in Russia or certain services offered to Russian users indicates that the company is still operating or resuming operations in the market.A Binance spokesperson stated, "We will continue to provide services to a limited number of existing Russian users to ensure the safety of their digital assets." The Binance representative emphasized that the cryptocurrency exchange "complies with global sanctions regulations" and "fully adheres to the restrictions on individuals, entities, and countries that are subject to international sanctions."

ChainCatcher news, according to Cryptonews, the Moscow police in Russia have shut down a "cross-border" cryptocurrency exchange that pretended to be a travel agency, suspected of helping clients transfer funds abroad.The police stated that the exchange processed approximately $2.2 million in cryptocurrency transactions for Russian clients and charged a 1% commission. During the raid, the Ministry of Internal Affairs seized a large amount of cash, receipts, and equipment.The police have charged one "mastermind," and the case is still under investigation, with authorities searching for other accomplices.

ChainCatcher news, a man in Russia has been arrested for sending cryptocurrency to the Ukrainian armed forces and is facing charges of treason. A video of the arrest released by the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) shows agents pinning the man to the ground and detaining him. According to Russian media outlet "Novaya Gazeta," the cryptocurrency is alleged to have been used for "purchasing weapons, ammunition, and military uniforms."It is currently unclear what penalties the unidentified men would face if convicted.

ChainCatcher news, Russian President Putin recently stated during a speech at the Eastern Economic Forum that Russia has become one of the world leaders in Bitcoin mining. This is because Bitcoin mining can utilize the surplus energy in regions such as Siberia. However, he also warned that these activities should not hinder the development of the region.According to a report by Sergey Bezdelov, chairman of the Industrial Mining Association, Russia produced 54,000 Bitcoins in 2023, bringing over $550 million in tax revenue to the country.On August 8, Putin signed a law that legalized cryptocurrency mining in Russia.

ChainCatcher news, according to Fortune, the arrest of Telegram founder Pavel Durov in France has raised concerns among the Russian public.Since the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022, Telegram has become one of the few uncensored sources of information in Russia. According to Mediascope research, Telegram has become the fourth most popular online service in Russia. Political scientist Tatiana Stanovaya stated that Telegram has now become the "main source of information" for those seeking independent viewpoints.However, Durov has been prosecuted for failing to curb extremism and illegal content on the platform; although he has been released on bail, he is not allowed to leave France. Additionally, the European Commission is investigating whether Telegram needs to comply with stricter regulations.

ChainCatcher news, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov stated regarding the arrest of Telegram CEO Pavel Durov in France that the relationship between Moscow and Paris is at its lowest point.

ChainCatcher news, Russian Duma Chairman Volodin stated that the United States supports the arrest of Telegram CEO Durov in France without providing evidence. (Jin Ten)

ChainCatcher news, Russian cybercriminal Deniss Zolotarjovs has been charged in the United States with participating in a cybercrime organization that extorts victims and launders cryptocurrency.The 33-year-old resident of Moscow was indicted in Cincinnati, Ohio, on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering, wire fraud, and extortion under the Hobbs Act. Zolotarjovs was arrested in Georgia in December 2023 and has recently been extradited to the United States. He is accused of being a key member of a cybercrime group that steals sensitive data from victims and demands ransom payments in cryptocurrency to prevent the release of the stolen information. The organization also operates a website that leaks or auctions stolen data.It is alleged that Zolotarjovs was involved in laundering the ransom payments. This is the first time a member of the organization has been extradited to the United States.

ChainCatcher news, according to the WSJ report, Telegram founder and CEO Pavel Durov was arrested in France last Saturday, which has drawn "anger" from Russian officials.The Russian embassy in France issued a statement earlier on Sunday, stating that French authorities had refused their attempts to contact Durov. "After the news of Durov's detention appeared in the media, we immediately requested clarification from the French authorities regarding the reasons and asked them to ensure the protection of Durov's rights and provide consular access. As of today, the French side has remained silent on this issue. We are in contact with Durov's lawyer," the translated version of the statement read.Some Russian officials described the arrest as an indirect hostile act against Russia. Reports indicate that Durov holds dual citizenship in France and Russia, while others suggest he has dual citizenship in France and the UAE. Additionally, according to NPR, the Paris prosecutor's office stated that French officials are expected to respond to the arrest issue in a statement on Monday. Telegram also issued its first statement regarding the arrest that day, stating: "Telegram complies with EU laws, including the Digital Services Act," and "Telegram CEO Pavel Durov has nothing to hide; he frequently travels in Europe."While some news outlets claim that Durov could face 20 years in prison, the initial reports from French media did not mention this figure. Following Durov's arrest, many prominent figures in the crypto industry expressed their support for him, including X platform owner Elon Musk, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin (who noted that his views are based on the information available so far), TRON founder Justin Sun, and Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko, among others.

ChainCatcher news, according to CNBC, former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev stated that Telegram CEO Pavel Durov's escape from Russia and his belief that he will never have to cooperate with security agencies abroad is a misjudgment.Medvedev often uses Telegram to criticize the West, saying that Durov wants to be an "outstanding 'global citizen,' living a good life without a homeland.""He miscalculated," Medvedev said. "For all our common enemies, he is Russian—therefore unpredictable and dangerous."The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that it has sent a note to Paris requesting a meeting with Durov, despite him already holding French citizenship.

ChainCatcher news, according to DL News, TRM Labs has disclosed that it assisted Argentine law enforcement in the arrest of a Russian citizen.It is reported that this individual is involved in a multi-million dollar money laundering operation. The 29-year-old suspect accepted cryptocurrency benefits from illegal actors, including the hacker group Lazarus Group. Additionally, the suspect used a Telegram bot to exchange rubles, USDT, euros, and dollars for Argentine pesos. During the arrest, police seized over $120,000 worth of cryptocurrency and an additional $15 million from properties controlled by the suspect.

ChainCatcher news, according to Jinshi reports, Yekaterina Mizulina, head of the Russian Safe Internet League, believes that the arrest of Telegram co-founder Pavel Durov in France was at the request of the United States.She wrote on her personal channel on "Telegram": "I have long believed that the Telegram leader is in danger outside of Russia and could be arrested at any moment; similar situations have occurred at the request of the United States before. I initially thought that no one would touch him because he might have cooperation with Western intelligence agencies, but recent news suggests that everything seems to be quite different."In addition, Mizulina believes that Durov's arrest is aimed at cracking down on the super currency Toncoin circulating on Telegram. She stated that this way, the United States will continue its sanctions policy.

ChainCatcher news, according to Jinshi reports, Vyacheslav Dzhavanov, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma of Russia, has called for the Federal Service for Supervision of Communications, Information Technology and Mass Media of Russia to immediately block the websites of major French companies operating in Russia.

ChainCatcher news, according to CCTV News, the Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma, Davankov, called on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the early hours of the 25th to find a way to rescue Durov (Pavel Durov). He stated that he has sent a corresponding request to Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has indicated that the Russian Embassy in France has taken the necessary measures to understand the situation regarding Pavel Durov.Pavel Durov was born in 1984, and the media reports that he holds multiple nationalities, including Russian, French, and Emirati. There are reports that, since Pavel Durov is a French citizen, he will not be exchanged or extradited to other countries.