Summary:
Putin asserts Bitcoin is unstoppable and essential for reducing costs.
New law recognizes cryptocurrencies as property in Russia.
Crypto mining and sales exempt from VAT.
Putin's comments reflect a strategic interest in Bitcoin for geopolitical advantages.
Calls for addressing high inflation in Russia near 9%.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a bold statement regarding the future of Bitcoin and digital assets, asserting that they are unstoppable. He emphasized their role as essential tools for reducing costs and enhancing financial reliability during a recent Investment Forum in Moscow.
What Happened
During his address, Putin confidently stated, "Who can ban Bitcoin? Nobody." He further noted that as new technologies, digital currencies will continue to evolve regardless of the fate of traditional currencies like the dollar. This endorsement comes shortly after Putin signed a law that recognizes cryptocurrencies as property in Russia, which also exempts crypto mining and sales from value-added tax (VAT).
Why It Matters
This new legal framework is expected to accelerate the adoption of digital assets in Russia's financial ecosystem. Furthermore, Putin's comments reflect a strategic interest in leveraging Bitcoin for geopolitical and economic advantages, especially in light of the Ukraine conflict, where Bitcoin was used to navigate Western sanctions.
At the recent BRICS summit, discussions centered around using cryptocurrencies for cross-border payments, highlighting their potential to disrupt traditional financial systems. Putin's proactive stance appears to counter U.S. initiatives, particularly those proposed by President-elect Donald Trump regarding a national Bitcoin reserve.
Despite advocating for cryptocurrencies, Putin also expressed the need for the Russian government to address the nation’s high inflation, currently nearing 9%. He stated, "It is necessary to curb inflation, which is currently at a fairly high level."
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