Putin asks govt, cbank to find common view on cryptocurrencies

MOSCOW, Jan 27 (PRIME) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin asked the government late on Wednesday to agree with the central bank on cryptocurrency regulation.

“I asked the government of Russia and the central bank to arrive to a common view during discussion. I would ask you to hold this discussion soon and then report on the results achieved during the talks,” Putin said at a meeting with the government.

In a recent report, the regulator suggested banning cryptocurrency mining in Russia and using infrastructure of the country’s financial market for any transactions with cryptocurrencies. The Finance Ministry, however, spoke in favor of regulation rather than a ban.

Andrei Turchak, secretary of the General Council of political party United Russia said that about 6 million Russians are registered on the crypto bourses and invested several trillions rubles in the currencies.

“When regulating these technologies, we should think mainly of the people’ safety. This is what the president is talking about,” he said as quoted by the party’s press service.

“To foresee all possible risks – to protect the people from possible scams with cryptocurrencies, to prevent their use for criminal settlements. Two years ago we adopted a law on financial assets. Now it is crucial to come up with regulation of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment in our country.”

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