Sberbank CEO Herman Gref stated that the use of cryptocurrencies as a payment method within Russia remains prohibited by law and is unlikely to be approved anytime soon. Speaking at the “FI Day. Blockchain: On the Edge of a New Financial Era” conference in Moscow, Gref highlighted the recent legislative changes allowing the use of digital currencies and cryptocurrencies for international payments. However, he emphasized that domestic transactions involving these assets are still restricted.
Gref also addressed the potential role of Russia’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital ruble, in global trade. He explained that its use in international payments would depend on other countries’ willingness to accept it, reflecting ongoing uncertainty about its broader adoption. As the head of Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank and a state-owned institution, Gref confirmed that the bank is closely monitoring these developments and exploring their implications.
While acknowledging the potential of blockchain and digital currencies in reshaping financial systems, Sberbank CEO Herman Gref remains cautious about the near-term prospects of integrating cryptocurrencies into Russia’s domestic economy, focusing instead on the evolving role of the digital ruble in international markets.
Source: Bitcoin
