#Russia crypto transactions

[mariacallous]

A presidential signing bonanza

Vladimir Putin signed into law on Thursday more than 50 laws on Thursday, including several new prohibitions and expansions of the state’s repressive powers. Thanks to the president's approval, these eight pieces of legislation are now set to become the law of the land.

Jailing soldiers (without court orders) for using smartphones: Unit commanders now have the authority to lock up their soldiers for up to 10 days (or 15 days for repeat offenses) if they catch them using banned personal gadgets, such as smartphones. This act previously required transporting the suspects to a garrison court for a formal ruling.

An expanded definition of ‘undesirability’: The authorities can now designate any organization in Russia as “undesirable” if foreign state entities played any role in the organization’s foundation or have even participated in its operations. State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin said the law is necessary to close a “loophole” that prohibited the government from designating local, Russian organizations, not just foreign groups.

No more selling energy drinks to kids: Effective March 2025, Russian vendors are prohibited from selling non-alcoholic tonic drinks, including energy drinks, to minors. The new restriction is intended as a public health measure.

Legalized cryptocurrency mining: Russia will introduce a special registry to issue permits for individuals and legal entities to “mine” cryptocurrency — the electricity-demanding process of using computer power to solve the complex mathematical problems needed to validate and secure transactions on a blockchain, earning digital currency as a reward. In mid-July, Putin expressed concerns about falling behind in cryptocurrency regulations. The new legislation also reserves some regional authorities’ right to ban crypto-mining where energy shortages are a concern.

The Dude can no longer abide: Effective September 1, 2025, “propagating drug use in art and literature” without warnings will be punishable by steep fines. The new restrictions exempt all works released before August 1, 1990, and content “where drugs are an integral part of the artistic concept justified by the genre.” The new censorship also does not apply to “materials related to investigative activities, scientific, educational, medical, or pharmaceutical publications.”

More deportation powers for the police: Internal Affairs Ministry officials will now have the authority to expel foreigners from the country without court oversight for certain misdemeanors. The list of administrative offenses includes illegal drug use, the public consumption of alcohol, and disseminating so-called “gay propaganda” (though officers must “directly witness signs of violations” in this last case). Deported foreigners will also be added to a registry that bans them from registering businesses in Russia, getting married, buying and registering property, opening bank accounts, and obtaining or renewing a driver’s license. 

‘Trash-streams’ banned: In Russia, “trash streams” usually feature bloggers abusing drugs and alcohol or performing humiliating or violent acts in return for donations from viewers. The new law prohibits the distribution of “trash stream” content, and crimes committed during these broadcasts can be prosecuted as aggravated offenses under 10 different felony statutes. Convicted “trash streamers” will face steep fines and the possible confiscation of their electronic equipment.

Naturalized citizenship revoked for refusing military registration: The Internal Affairs Ministry will now be required to provide records about all men approved for receiving Russian citizenship. Lawmakers who sponsored the bill said the new condition for maintaining naturalized citizenship is needed to address “widespread public outrage” against immigrants who get a passport and then evade military duty.

[postmodernmulticoloredcloak]

From La Stampa (translated from Italian):

“Make Finance Great Again,” Trump family makes its own cryptocurrency and allies with Silicon Valley It will be called “World Liberty Financial,” will have tech investors and real estate developers from Chase Herro and Zak Folkman to Steve Witkoff inside. Sons Eric and Donald Jr. will coordinate. And his backer Tyler Winklevoss jokes, “Donald has been orange-pilled, indoctrinated.” Jacopo Iacoboni Sept. 17, 2024 Updated 11:00 a.m. 3 minutes of reading

They want to do a kind of “make finance great again,” along the lines of MAGA, the election slogan and the Make America Great Again campaign. Donald Trump's sons, Don Jr. and Eric, of course with their father's imprimatur, are about to launch a new cryptocurrency platform that will be called “World Liberty Financial,” and will allow users to make even massive transactions without a bank getting in the way and extracting fees (and with a very low level of tax tracking, it should be added). A couple of concepts familiar to bitcoin fans, for example, but which the Trump family now has ambitions to decline on a large scale. It is not certain that this marriage between Trumpism and decentralized finance, DeFi, is a harbinger of only positive developments. The board of “World Liberty Financial” will also consist of former crypto investors such as Chase Herro and Zak Folkman, and Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer and old friend of Trump. But thanks to documents filed with the U.S. Federal Election Commission that we have been able to read we know that in general the entire Trump campaign - Make America Great Again Inc. - received money not only from Musk, but cryptocurrency from billionaire twins Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, who lead the cryptocurrency company Gemini: about $3.5 million in Bitcoin on July 19, the day after Trump's speech at the Milwaukee convention. The Winkelvosses also poured in money to America PAC, the tech investor-backed group that Musk helped launch in 2024 (Trump had bragged that Musk was giving him $45 million a month; Musk said his contribution is “at a much lower level”). Another co-founder of a cryptocurrency exchange, Jesse Powell, boss of Kraken, and venture capitalists Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz (who created a16z) who have invested billions of dollars in cryptocurrency startups, have also made endorsements and poured money into Trump. In short, for the Trump family to embark on this big cryptocurrency project is a natural consequence of the fact that these are almost becoming a Republican asset in the campaign, and the “libertarian” wing of the old Gop is now a kind of very, very rampant ideologized “cyberlibertarianism.” The real boss of the “tech bros” according to many is not Elon Musk, but Peter Thiel. Zuckerberg's longtime partner in Facebook, co-founder of PayPal, Thiel's fortune has at least doubled during the Trump presidency. Palantir-a much-discussed software company variously accused of extracting data from Americans and profiling them-has managed to get a contract from the Pentagon. Other donors to MAGA Inc include Jacob Halberg, Palantir's princely analyst, and Trish Duggan, a wealthy Scientology funder and friend of the tech bros. Trump's vice presidential candidate, J. D. Vance, traveled to Silicon Valley and the Bay Area, celebrating a dinner at the home of BitGo CEO Mike Belshe, 100 people each pouring in between $3,300 a plate and a $25,000 roundtable. Trump in 2021 called bitcoin a “fraud against the dollar.” A few weeks ago, speaking in Nashvill at the bitcoin fan conference, he promised, “The United States will become the crypto capital of the planet.” Better than his friend Putin's Russia, although this Trump did not say so explicitly. The fact is that after his speech, Tyler Winklevoss ran on X (now the realm of cyberlibertarians) and joked that Donald had been “orange-pilled,” making a Matrix analogy, had been “indoctrinated,” or had finally seen the real reality behind the appearances.

[st-just]

The weird thing about this case is that Bitzlato appears to be basically a Russian crypto exchange for Russian users to buy and sell Bitcoin in Russia using Russian rubles without giving Bitzlato their Russian identity cards, and now it is being prosecuted in Brooklyn. It was headquartered in Hong Kong, and Legkodymov apparently logged on a few times to run it from Miami, but it seems to have been mostly Russian and had minimal involvement with the US financial system... But the complaint doesn’t actually say that Bitzlato supported any crime in the US, that anyone in the US used Bitzlato to buy Bitcoin to buy drugs or to sell Bitcoin received in ransoms. Nor does it say that it supported any dollar-linked crime, that any Russian hackers used Bitzlato to turn Bitcoin ransoms into dollars. Mostly it says that Bitzlato allowed Russian customers to trade rubles for crypto without using their Russian identity cards, and that it had a website that you could access from the US. US prosecutors are in the business of prosecuting financial crime anywhere in the world, and if Russians are hiding their transactions from the Russian government, US prosecutors are interested.

-Matt Levine

[beardedmrbean]

An international operation against a large-scale scheme for financial crimes, money laundering and violations of international sanctions against Russia is taking place in Sofia at the moment. According to BNT, it is the company NEXO.

The ownership of the company is related to a former member of parliament and the son of a former social minister from the NDSV political party.

The suspicions are that the Bulgarians behind the large company acted according to the scheme of Ruja Ignatova and the OneCoin pyramid led by her. The Bulgarian woman known as the "Queen of Cryptocurrencies" is in the top 10 most wanted persons by the FBI. Europol and Interpol are also on her trail.

Prosecutors, investigators from the National Investigation and SANS employees, together with foreign agents, have begun searches of the Bulgarian offices of the company that trades cryptocurrencies worldwide.

The company's operations were carried out from the Bulgarian capital, and depositors were invited to invest in bitcoins and other types of cryptocurrencies, with promises of high returns.

The interest rates that investors would receive were many times higher than those of classic banking institutions and various brokerage houses. There are reports that the owners of the company, who are Bulgarians, have appropriated part of the assets amounting to several billion dollars.

The investigation into the activities of the crypto company in Bulgaria began a few months ago, after foreign services detected suspicious transactions, which were reported to be aimed at circumventing the sanctions imposed by the European Union, Great Britain and the United States against Russian banks, as well as companies and citizens of the Russian Federation.

Georgi Shulev – representing Nexo, son of former Deputy Prime Minister Lidiya Shuleva;

Antoni Trenchev – co-founder and director of several Nexo companies, former MP from the DBG, Reform Bloc;

Kosta Kantchev – director of Nexo Bank;

Kalin Metodiev – co-founder and financial director of Nexo;

Sokol Yankov – representing Nexo;

The company, which Sokol Yankov currently manages, said that Yankov left Nexo in 2019 and has had nothing to do with the investigated group of companies since then.

Georgi Shulev's office stated to BNT that he participated in the founding of Nexo in 2018. A year later, however, he left the Nexo group of companies and is suing the co-founders in Great Britain.

According to the Bulgarian National Television, Georgi Shulev is currently being questioned as a witness.

The former MP from the Bulgarian political entity "Reform Bloc", Antoni Trenchev, and his partner in the cryptocurrency trading company Nexo, Kosta Kantchev, fled to Dubai already in the fall of last year, BNT reported. This came after allegations of particularly large-scale fraud were brought against Nexo by the prosecutors of eight US states.

Regulators in California, Kentucky, New York, Maryland, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Washington and Vermont have announced that they are suing crypto platform Nexo over tens of thousands of cases of fraud totaling at least 0 million.

Nexo claims to manage billion in digital assets.

In recent months, the FBI has been investigating the activities of the Bulgarian crypto platform due to data on a hidden hole in the amount of over 4 billion dollars from investors, due to illegal financial activity - granting loans in exchange for collateral, as well as due to reports of abuse of the securities and goods of its customers.

The DFPI announcement revealed that Nexo offered annual interest rates of up to 36% on deposited crypto-assets to investors, significantly higher than rates on short-term investment-grade fixed income securities or bank savings accounts.

More details about the police operation read here.

[nftplaygrounds]

Virtual Currency Games

Every little boy's (and plenty of grown guys's) dream of making a dwelling by way of gambling video video games is edging closer to truth. The recent launch of HunterCoin and the in-improvement VoidSpace, video games which reward players in virtual currency in preference to virtual princesses or gold stars point closer to a destiny in which one's ranking on a scoreboard might be rewarded in dollars, and sterling, euros and yen.

The tale of the millionaire (virtual) real property agent…

Digital currencies have been slowly gaining in maturity both in terms of their capability and the financial infrastructure that enables them for use as a credible alternative to non-virtual fiat currency. Though Bitcoin, the 1st and most widely recognized of the crypto-currencies was created in 2009 there were sorts of digital currencies utilized in video video Top NFT Games for extra than 15 years. 1997's Ultima Online was the first exceptional try to comprise a big scale virtual financial system in a recreation. Players may want to collect gold cash by way of venture quests, fighting monsters and locating treasure and spend those on armour, guns or real property. This became an early incarnation of a virtual forex in that it existed only within the game though it did replicate real global economics to the volume that the Ultima foreign money experienced inflation because of the game mechanics which ensured that there was a in no way finishing deliver of monsters to kill and therefore gold coins to acquire.

Released in 1999, EverQuest took virtual currency gaming a step in addition, allowing players to alternate virtual goods among themselves in-recreation and although it become prohibited with the aid of the game's clothier to also promote virtual objects to each other on eBay. In a actual global phenomenon which became entertainingly explored in Neal Stephenson's 2011 novel Reamde, Chinese game enthusiasts or 'gold farmers' have been employed to play EverQuest and different such video games complete-time with the intention of gaining revel in points with the intention to degree-up their characters thereby making them more effective and favourite. These characters would then be bought on eBay to Western game enthusiasts who have been unwilling or unable to put in the hours to degree-up their own characters. Based at the calculated alternate rate of EverQuest's foreign money due to the real international buying and selling that happened Edward Castronova, Professor of Telecommunications at Indiana University and an professional in virtual currencies anticipated that in 2002 EverQuest become the 77th richest usa inside the international, somewhere among Russia and Bulgaria and its GDP per capita was more than the People's Republic of China and India.

Launched in 2003 and having reached 1 million everyday users by using 2014, Second Life is perhaps the most whole example of a digital economy thus far wherein it is virtual forex, the Linden Dollar which can be used to shop for or promote in-recreation goods and services can be exchanged for real international currencies through market-based totally exchanges. There were a recorded $3.2 billion in-sport transactions of digital goods inside the 10 years among 2002-13, Second Life having end up a marketplace where gamers and organizations alike have been able to design, promote and promote content material that they created. Real estate became a specifically beneficial commodity to exchange, in 2006 Ailin Graef have become the 1st Second Life millionaire whilst she grew to become an initial funding of $9.95 into over $1 million over 2.5 years via buying, promoting and trading digital actual estate to different players. Examples inclusive of Ailin are the exception to the rule of thumb but, simplest a recorded 233 customers making greater than $5000 in 2009 from Second Life activities.

[thesecrettimes]

EU Bans Crypto Companies for Russians in New Sanctions Over Ukraine Escalation

An array of crypto-related services have been targeted in the latest round of sanctions on Russia approved by the EU. The measures are part of an expected tightening of the economic and financial restrictions in response to Moscow’s decision to annex Ukrainian territories.

EU Council Adopts Full Ban on Crypto Wallet and Custody Services for Russian Persons

The Council of the European Union announced new sanctions against Russia on the backdrop of the deepening military conflict in Ukraine. The penalties, expected to hurt the Russian government and economy, come after Moscow took steps to annex the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. In a statement, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell emphasized that the sanctions are a response to the latest escalation with the “fake referenda” in these four oblasts. Russian individuals and entities that have played a role in their organization will be specifically targeted. Other Russian citizens and businesses are also going to take a hit, including those that deal with cryptocurrencies. The new measures include a full ban on the provision of wallet, account, or custody services for crypto assets to Russian persons and residents. That’s regardless of the value of these assets, according to the eighth package of sanctions imposed by Brussels. This spring, when the EU approved its fifth round of such measures, the Council prohibited only the provision of “high-value” crypto-asset services to Russians and organizations registered in their country. The ban applied to digital funds exceeding €10,000 (close to $11,000 at the time).

New European Sanctions to Hit Russian Imports and Exports

While the earlier restrictions were meant to limit the transfer of wealth through digital assets and close other loopholes in the crypto space, a recent report revealed that pro-Russian groups have been actively using cryptocurrency, often in small transactions, to fund paramilitary operations in Ukraine. According to the research, they have raised $400,000 in crypto since the start of the invasion in late February. Russian authorities have also been working to allow businesses to employ crypto payments for international settlements. With the latest move, the EU also bans the provision of IT consultancy and legal advisory services to Russia as well as architectural and engineering services. Russian imports and exports have been targeted, too, including the maritime transport of crude oil and petroleum products to third countries. The provision of related services will be allowed only if these have been purchased at or below a pre-established price cap, which is yet to be determined. Among the other measures is a ban on EU nationals to hold any posts on the governing bodies of some Russian state-owned or government-controlled entities. The Council also decided to broaden the criteria under which persons can be designated as facilitating the circumvention of restrictions imposed by the European Union. The European Commission, the executive body in Brussels, welcomed the latest sanctions package. Do you think the new EU sanctions will significantly limit access to cryptocurrencies for Russians? Share your thoughts on the subject in the comments section below. Read the full article

[criptox]

Rusia Se Dispone A Probar Criptomonedas Para El Comercio De Bienes Con Aplicaciones Militares

The Rise of Cryptocurrencies in Military Trade: Russia's Bold Move

In a groundbreaking development, Russia is reportedly paving the way for the military trade sector to embrace cryptocurrencies. The nation’s shift towards digital currencies is not just a trend; it’s a strategic maneuver aimed at revolutionizing how military transactions are conducted, ensuring greater privacy and agility in an age where traditional banking systems might be scrutinized or hampered by international sanctions.

Why Cryptocurrencies?

The primary appeal of using cryptocurrencies in military commerce lies in their decentralized nature. This decentralization provides a level of anonymity and security that can be essential for sensitive transactions. Traditional financial institutions often fall under the watchful eye of global regulatory frameworks, making them vulnerable to interference especially during periods of geopolitical tension.

Some key advantages of cryptocurrencies include:

Enhanced Security: Cryptocurrencies utilize advanced encryption technologies that safeguard transactions against fraud and cyberattacks.

Speed: Transactions can be completed in a matter of minutes, regardless of geographical barriers.

Lower Costs: With fewer intermediaries involved, fees associated with currency conversion and transaction costs can be significantly reduced.

Increased Privacy: The anonymity offered by digital currencies can be a game-changer for military dealings, where discretion is paramount.

Challenges Ahead

Despite its promise, the integration of cryptocurrencies into military trade is not without hurdles. Regulatory frameworks around the world remain unclear and inconsistent, creating a fog of uncertainty for entities looking to engage in crypto-based transactions. Additionally, the volatility associated with cryptocurrencies poses risks; a sudden drop in value could disrupt financial planning or lead to losses on transactions.

Moreover, as more nations explore the use of cryptocurrencies for military and defense purposes, international regulations may evolve to counteract this trend. Countries may impose sanctions or take other actions against those who engage in crypto-based military trade, potentially complicating global relations further.

The Global Implications

Russia's move to incorporate cryptocurrencies into its military supply chain could inspire other nations to follow suit. As countries around the world grapple with rising tensions and economic instability, it's likely that more governments will search for alternative methods to conduct trades that bypass traditional systems. This shift could potentially accelerate the international acceptance of cryptocurrencies, changing the landscape of commerce as we know it.

Furthermore, this development raises questions about the future of warfare. If the military-industrial complex begins to rely on digital currencies, how will this reshape logistics, supplier relationships, and the strategies employed by governments? Will crypto-based military trade lead to a more efficient system or just open new avenues for conflict?

Conclusion

As Russia boldly ventures into the realm of cryptocurrency for military trade, the world will be closely watching to see the impact of this revolutionary approach. It could very well signal the dawn of a new era in military commerce, one that emphasizes speed, security, and privacy. However, it remains to be seen whether this will result in a more stable framework for nations to engage in military transactions or merely heighten tensions along geopolitical lines.

In the fast-evolving landscape of digital finance, one thing is certain: the intersection of cryptocurrencies and military affairs is a space that will generate significant conversation and debate in the years to come.

Rusia Se Dispone A Probar Criptomonedas Para El Comercio De Bienes Con Aplicaciones Militares

[coineagle]

Digital Gold Rush in Russia: President Putin Gives Nod to Bitcoin Mining

Key Points

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law legalizing cryptocurrency and Bitcoin mining.

The law permits registered entities and businesses to mine cryptocurrencies, potentially aiding Russia amidst global sanctions.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has recently signed a law that legalizes mining of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC).

This law comes after months of discussions and negotiations among Russian lawmakers about the rules and regulatory frameworks for cryptocurrency mining.

Putin’s Crypto Move

Starting from November 2024, both individuals and businesses registered with the Russian Ministry of Digital Development will be permitted to engage in cryptocurrency mining. The law also allows unregistered individuals to mine cryptocurrencies, provided their energy consumption stays within a set limit.

President Putin, while addressing government members, highlighted the rising global prominence of digital currencies. He emphasized the importance of timely regulation and infrastructure development for digital assets.

Russia’s Crypto Future

The new law positions Russia as one of the few countries that legally permit crypto operations, including mining. Amidst the global crypto revolution and increasing acceptance, Russia aims to utilize cryptocurrencies for cross-border transactions.

However, some critics argue that the new laws could discourage individuals from mining operations. The Ministry of Digital Development will monitor miners’ adherence to rules and regulations, and miners will need to report the amount of crypto they mine and the addresses stored, leading to tight government control over mining companies.

Russia, being the most sanctioned country in the world, has faced massive financial sanctions, especially since the full invasion of Ukraine in 2022. These sanctions have affected individuals’ and businesses’ ability to conduct global transactions. The introduction of cryptocurrencies could potentially allow Russia to circumvent these sanctions through decentralized financial ecosystems, thus supporting its global trade and bolstering the currency.

[biblenewsprophecy]

Russia, USA, & Bitcoin

On July 30, 2024, Russian lawmakers passed a bill that will allow businesses to use cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, to skirt Western sanctions imposed after Russia's Special Military Operation into Ukraine. This is to go into force in September 2024. This is hoped to help with trade between Russia, China, India, the United Arab Emirates, and others. What are several advantages to Russia in doing so? Could there be "unintentional consequences" in dealing with Bitcoin? Is Bitcoin "as good as gold" or silver? What does the Bible teach about gold? Does the Bible allow for the '666' power to use unregulated Bitcoin? Has a bill been introduced in the US Congress for its Treasury to purchase 1 million Bitcoin? Has Donald Trump made statements about the USA stockpiling Bitcoin should he again become President of the United States? Does the Bible warn against debt accumulation, show that the USA dollar will one day be worthless, and prophesy that the strongest military on the earth will be conquered? Should you rely on any nation, gold, or cryptocurrency? What should Christians rely on? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie address these issues.

A written article of related interest is available titled 'Reuters: Russia to allow crypto payments in international trade to counter sanctions; Bloomberg: Trump Likes the Idea of a Federal Bitcoin Reserve’

Youtube video link: Russia, USA, & Bitcoin

Reuters: Russia to allow crypto payments in international trade to counter sanctions; Bloomberg: Trump Likes the Idea of a Federal Bitcoin Reserve

COGwriter

Reuters reported the following:

Russia to allow crypto payments in international trade to counter sanctions

MOSCOW, July 30 (Reuters) – Russian lawmakers passed a bill on Tuesday that will allow businesses to use crypto currencies in international trade, as part of efforts to skirt Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The law is expected to go into force in September, and Russian central bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina, one of the backers of the new law, said the first transactions in cryptocurrencies will take place before the end of the year.

Russia has faced significant delays in international payments with major trading partners such as China, India and the United Arab Emirates after banks in those countries, under pressure from Western regulators, became more cautious.

“We are taking a historic decision in the financial sphere,” the head of the Duma lower house of parliament, Anatoly Aksakov, told lawmakers. https://www.reuters.com/technology/russia-launch-international-payments-crypto-before-end-2024-2024-07-30/

Here is some more about that:

Russia Legalizes Bitcoin And Crypto for International Trade To Bypass Sanctions

In a significant legislative move, Russian lawmakers have passed a bill permitting businesses to use Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in international trade, according to a report by Retuers. This development is part of Russia’s strategy to circumvent Western sanctions imposed following the invasion of Ukraine. The new law, expected to take effect in September, aims to address delays in international payments, particularly with key trading partners like China, India, and the UAE. …

Despite efforts to shift to trading partners’ currencies and develop an alternative BRICS payment system, many transactions still rely on dollars and euros via the SWIFT system, risking secondary sanctions. Nabiullina emphasized that these sanctions have complicated import payments, extending supply chains and increasing costs.

This decision by Russian lawmakers aims to mitigate the economic challenges posed by sanctions and ensure smoother international trade operations. 07/30/24 https://bitcoinmagazine.com/business/russia-legalizes-bitcoin-and-crypto-for-international-trade-to-bypass-sanctions

While the BRICS nations may or may not end up with their own currency, Bitcoin is something that many of them are willing to deal in.

This helps Russia in many ways as 1) It has accumulated more Indian rupees than it has reasons to spend, 2) bypasses the USA dollar, and 3) gives Russia a lot more flexibility in buying from non-BRICS aligned nations as well.

Plus, Russia likely realizes that anything it can do to bypass the USA dollar hurts the USA which is trying to hurt Russia with its sanctions policies.

I have long warned of “unintended consequences” of USA sanctions policies against Russia.

Six years ago, we put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

15:19

US Sanctions and Tariffs leading to New World Order?

Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said new US sanctions would be a declaration of economic war. Iran, North Korea, China, Europe, and Turkey are also upset about USA sanctions and tariffs. A Turk asserted “Somebody must find a solution and stop the USA.” The BRICS nations see US sanctions and tariffs as helpful to their objectives to trade without the USA. Are “unintended consequences” of USA policies threatening the current Anglo-American world order and leading to a New World Order? What has ‘Lord’ Jacob Rothschild and Russian President Vladimir Putin stated? Does Bible prophecy show that a confederation of Turks, Arabs, and Europeans pose a real threat to the USA and UK? Is the final time of the Gentiles coming? Will it be worse than people imagine? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more.

Here is a link to our video: US Sanctions and Tariffs leading to New World Order?

As far as cryptocurrencies go, ZeroHedge posted the following in 2022:

The Bitcoin is ‘as-good-as-gold’ myth is over

November 17, 2022

When you invest in gold or buy silver coins … you are choosing to invest in an asset that has no counterparty risk.

Sadly those who have been holding their bitcoin on the crypto exchange FTX, have not experienced the same level of reassurance and service from the exchange’s management.

This time last year, cryptocurrency enthusiasts were still touting “Crypto as the new gold”– crypto touted as having the same ‘safe’ attributes as gold.

The main attribute is that it is a currency that government doesn’t control. Also, it is without counterparty risk. The latest debacle has once more proved this is not always the case for cryptocurrencies.

The news that the crypto exchange FTX was filing for bankruptcy on November 5 sent Bitcoin plunging down a further 25%.

This is on top of the more than 60% Bitcoin has already declined since its November 2021 peak. …

The FTX collapse has brought to light that the CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, had authorized billions of dollars worth of customer assets to be lent to its affiliated trading firm Alameda Research to fund risky bets.

According to news reports Alameda Research owes FTX upwards of US$10 billion. This is more than half of its US$16 billion in customer assets!

The bankruptcy case is likely to take years to unravel. There could be more than one million creditors, and more than 100 other related corporate entities involved.

Everyone who thought they owned Bitcoin held by FTX became an unsecured bankruptcy creditor. These are the ones who must now rely upon some Court to confirm just how much, or any Bitcoin they will receive. …

Only time will tell if the timing of the test (on the heels of the FTX collapse) is simply ‘bad timing’ or an omen of a system building in even more risk. Investing in physical gold and silver are still the tried-and-true alternative!  https://www.zerohedge.com/news/2022-11-17/bitcoin-good-gold-myth-over

The reason crypto can never replace gold lies in physics: Gold cannot be destroyed

Everything else can. Computers. Exchanges. Mining Pools. Wallets. Powergrids. Internets. Nations. You name it. If you blew up the planet earth, the gold atoms would still be there.

Unlike anything else you can invest or store money in, gold doesn’t rely on any external force for this to continue to be true over time. It is sort of like a battery with no expiration date.

Gold exists as atomic number 79 on the periodic table. It is chemically inert and does not interact with oxygen. It is the only element with properties that make it completely immune to the forces of entropy. The only way to destroy it would be to fire it into the sun, or somehow put it in the middle of an equivalent fusion reaction that took the atoms apart at a subatomic level. (Stanczyk A. A Gold Guys View of Crypto, Bitcoin, and Blockchain. Medium.com, December 10, 2017 https://medium.com/@alex.stanczyk/a-gold-guys-view-of-crypto-bitcoin-and-blockchain-26e42eeab6b7)

Yes, gold and silver have been safer than being with FTX.

Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, have never been backed by anything other than the desire of many to use it to trade or speculate with. (Note: that although currencies like the USA dollar were once backed by gold, currently it, and nearly all currencies of the world, are backed by nothing either–so in that respect are not much different than cryptocurrencies.)

As long time reader of this COGwriter Church of God News page are aware, I never bought into the myth that Bitcoin was “as good as gold” and have long warned about it–here is a link to something posted here over 8 years ago: Bitcoin seller ‘goes dark’–Bitcoins are not the answer.

Yet, for nations under sanctions such as Russia, Iran, and North Korea, they have different needs and interests which cryptocurrencies may assist.

It remains my view that once governments get involved enough with their own digital currencies, steps to eliminate Bitcoin will take place.

As far as governments being involved, former US President and Republican party candidate Donald Trump has brought it up.  Notice the following:

Trump Likes the Idea of a Federal Bitcoin Reserve. Don’t Laugh.

The idea of a government fund invested in cryptocurrency may sound foolish, but there are reasons for the US Treasury to consider adding Bitcoin to its portfolio.

July 31, 2024

Which financial assets a central bank should buy and sell is hardly a novel question. Historically, the US Federal Reserve has focused on shorter-term Treasury securities, but quantitative easing had the Fed buying mortgage securities and quality commercial paper in significant quantities. More generally, central banks often hold gold and foreign currencies. https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2024-07-31/trump-likes-the-idea-of-a-federal-bitcoin-reserve-don-t-laugh

‘Absolute Game Changer’—Congress Introduces Radical Bitcoin Bill As Trump Primes Price For A $100 Trillion Surge To Replace Gold

The bitcoin price has climbed almost 20% since Trump was revealed to be the headline speaker at the Bitcoin 2024 conference in Nashville, Tennessee, with billionaire investor Mark Cuban issuing a “crazy” bitcoin price prediction.

Now, after Trump promised to create a “strategic national bitcoin reserve” and predicted bitcoin could eclipse gold’s $16 trillion market capitalization, U.S. senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY) has introduced a bill to direct the U.S. Treasury to purchase 1 million bitcoins worth almost $70 billion—while MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor has upped his huge bitcoin price prediction. …

“If I am elected, it will be the policy of my administration, United States of America, to keep 100% of all the bitcoin the U.S. government currently holds or acquires into the future, we’ll keep 100%,” Trump said during his Saturday speech at Bitcoin 2024. “This will serve, in effect, as the core of the strategic national bitcoin stockpile.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/digital-assets/2024/07/28/absolute-game-changer-congress-introduces-radical-bitcoin-bill-as-trump-primes-price-for-a-100-trillion-surge-to-replace-gold/

The Bible teaches that the coming Beast power will control buying and selling (Revelation 13:16-18)–hence the Bible makes no provision for something like Bitcoin being able to operate like it has.

A couple of years ago, the European Union has stated that it will be the “sheriff” of Bitcoin. Related to that, the Continuing Church of God (CCOG) put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

9:03

EU to be ‘Sheriff’ of BitCoin & Digital Currencies

Will Bitcoin remain unregulated? The European Union does not think it should be and it released a paper titled “Proposal for EU Regulation on Markets in Crypto-Assets.” Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, earlier endorsed EU regulation of crypto and digital currencies. A Belgian declared that the EU was the “new Sheriff in town” to deal with the “wild west” of Bitcoin, blockchain, and other cryptocurrencies. The European Union now also has the European Public Prosecutor’s Office in operation, mainly to deal with financial matters? Will the Europeans end up controlling buying and selling associated with 666 in Revelation 13:16-18? Is Europe taking preliminary steps to do so now? Dr. Thiel address these issues.

Here is a link to our video: EU to be ‘Sheriff’ of BitCoin & Digital Currencies.

As far as gold goes, it is mentioned 453 times in the NKJV Protestant translation of the Bible and 464 times in the Roman Catholic Douay-Rheims Bible–hence it is something that the Bible refers to. Furthermore, gold is prophesied to have worth into the time of the Great Tribulation (cf. Revelation 18:12,16), but that will not last either. For more on gold and prophecy go, check out the article: The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold?

As far Bitcoin itself goes, unless adopted and controlled by the Beast, it will become worthless.

The time is also coming when the USA dollar will be worthless. And yes, the Bible tells that for a time gold will be worthless, but that does not happen to gold until years after the demise of the US dollar. But placing too much confidence in gold, currencies, or alternatives like Bitcoin will not truly save anyone (cf. 1 Peter 1:7). Yet, true repentance and turning to the Jesus of the Bible can.

UPDATE 08/04/24: We just uploaded the following related video:

14:59

Russia, USA, & Bitcoin

On July 30, 2024, Russian lawmakers passed a bill that will allow businesses to use cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, to skirt Western sanctions imposed after Russia’s Special Military Operation into Ukraine. This is to come to force in September 2024. This is hoped to help with trade between Russia, China, India, the United Arab Emirates, and others. What are several advantages to Russia in doing so? Could there be “unintentional consequences” in dealing with Bitcoin? Is Bitcoin “as good as good” or silver? What does the Bible teach about gold? Does the Bible allow for the ‘666’ power to use unregulated Bitcoin? Was a bill been introduced in the US Congress for its Treasury to purchase 1 million Bitcoin? Has Donald Trump made statements about the USA stockpiling Bitcoin should he again become President of the United States? Does the Bible warn against debt accumulation, show that the USA dollar will one day be worthless, and prophesy that the strongest military on the earth will be conquered? Should you rely on any nation, gold, or cryptocurrency? What should Christians rely on? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie address these issues.

Here is a link to our video: Russia, USA, & Bitcoin.

Although the USA is not likely to repent nationally to prevent its prophesied demise (c. Habakkuk 2:6-8; Daniel 11:39; Isaiah 10:5-11), nor can Bitcoin prevent it, personally you can repent, as well as physically take steps, before the dollar-based economic system collapses.

Do NOT place your confidence in Bitcoin, FTX, the US dollar, or gold, but “seek first the Kingdom of God” (Matthew 6:33).

Related Items:

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The Plain Truth About Gold in Prophecy. How Should a Christian View Gold? What do economists and the Bible teach about gold? Gold and silver may drop in value. Inflation/deflation? What do Christians need to know about gold? A video of related interest may be: Germany, Gold, and the US Dollar.

The End of US Dollar Dominance Is the USA losing its economic status? What about the petro-gold-yuan? A related video is also available: US Dollar being challenged by Gold-Petro-Yuan.

Is God Calling You? This booklet discusses topics including calling, election, and selection. If God is calling you, how will you respond? Here is are links to related sermons: Christian Election: Is God Calling YOU? and Predestination and Your Selection. A short animation is also available: Is God Calling You? Christian Repentance Do you know what repentance is? Is it really necessary for salvation? A related sermon is also available titled: Real Christian Repentance.

Just What Do You Mean — Repentance? Do you know what repentance is? Have you truly repented? Repented of what? Herbert W. Armstrong wrote this as a booklet on this important subject.

When You Sin: Do You Really Repent? This is an article by Charles F. Hunting. A related sermon is Confess to God and truly repent.

USA in Prophecy: The Strongest Fortresses Can you point to scriptures, like Daniel 11:39, that point to the USA in the 21st century? This article does. Two related sermon are available: Identifying the USA and its Destruction in Prophecy and Do these 7 prophesies point to the end of the USA?

Who is the King of the West? Why is there no Final End-Time King of the West in Bible Prophecy? Is the United States the King of the West? Here is a version in the Spanish language: ¿Quién es el Rey del Occidente? ¿Por qué no hay un Rey del Occidente en la profecía del tiempo del fin? A related sermon is also available: The Bible, the USA, and the King of the West.

Blockchain, Karl Guttenberg, and 666. American Express just announced a deal with Ripple related to using its blockchain technology. No longer confined to Bitcoin, blockchain technology is moving towards the mainstream. Former German Economic and later Defense Minister, Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg has long been an adviser to Ripple and has plans for internationally-expanding the use of blockchain money. Jim Rickards, Doug Casey, and others have expressed concerns that blockchain money will give governments too much control over buying and selling. Could any of this be related to biblical prophecies in the Books of Daniel and Revelation? Could any of this help fulfill the prophecies related to buying and selling and 666 in Revelation 13? Dr. Thiel addresses these issues and more in this video. A related written article is also available: Amex launches blockchain-based business payments using Ripple: Prelude to the Beast and 666?

Some Doctrines of Antichrist Are there any doctrines taught outside the Churches of God which can be considered as doctrines of antichrist? This article suggests at least three. It also provides information on 666 and the identity of “the false prophet.” Plus it shows that several Catholic writers seem to warn about an ecumenical antipope that will support heresy. You can also watch a video titled What Does the Bible teach about the Antichrist?

Might German Baron Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg become the King of the North? Is the former German Defense Minister (who is also the former German Minister for Economics and Technology) one to watch? What do Catholic, Byzantine, and biblical prophecies suggest? A video of related interest would be: Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg and Europe’s Future.

Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White. Here is a link to a prophetic video Six Financial Steps Leading to 666?

Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is a link to a video titled: Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European?

Must the Ten Kings of Revelation 17:12 Rule over Ten Currently Existing Nations? Some claim that these passages refer to a gathering of 10 currently existing nations together, while one group teaches that this is referring to 11 nations getting together. Is that what Revelation 17:12-13 refers to? The ramifications of misunderstanding this are enormous. A related sermon is titled Ten Kings of Revelation and the Great Tribulation. Who is the Man of Sin of 2 Thessalonians 2? Is this the King of the North, the ten-horned beast of Revelation 13:1-11, or the two-horned Beast of Revelation 13:12-16? Some rely on traditions, but what does the Bible teach? Here is a related link in Spanish/español: ¿Quién es el Hombre de Pecado de 2 Tesalonicenses 2?; here is a link to a video in Spanish: ¿Quién es el ‘hombre de pecado’? Here is a version in Mandarin: N;ÿ Œf/’Y’jNº’ÿ Here is a link to a related English sermon video titled: The Man of Sin will deceive most ‘Christians’.

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The Gospel of the Kingdom of God This free online pdf booklet has answers many questions people have about the Gospel of the Kingdom of God and explains why it is the solution to the issues the world is facing. Here are links to three related sermons: The World’s False Gospel, The Gospel of the Kingdom: From the New and Old Testaments, and The Kingdom of God

LATEST BIBLE PROPHECY INTERVIEWS

LATEST NEWS REPORTS

[mariacallous]

The paramilitary group Rusich is one of multiple Russian far-right and neo-Nazi organizations that have fought in the war in Ukraine. Because it’s not an official part of the Russian Armed Forces, Rusich has had to find alternative ways of funding its members’ military equipment and medical needs — and has found the perfect solution in cryptocurrency. Meduza special correspondent Lilia Yapparova explains how Russian white supremacists have used the blockchain Ethereum to siphon money from a Ukrainian charity foundation — and how they’ve encouraged other Russian fighters to use crypto to extort money from the families of murdered POWs.

I strongly encourage reading this article (and subscribing to and supporting Meduza in general obvi)

Mercenaries turned hackers

The logo of the Ukrainian charity foundation Happy New Life depicts two hands opening towards the sky, a “tree of life” growing out of them. On its website, donors can send money to support the Ukrainian Armed Forces, provide aid to refugees, and even assist victims in the case of “radiation contamination in Europe” — a potential consequence of Russia's occupation of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, the site explains.

The foundation, created in June 2022, was an outgrowth of a volunteer initiative from Dnipro, its director, Daniel Ovcharenko, told Meduza. And to give the organization "at least some kind of [online] face,” he said, its creators made a “very inexpensive” website for it. The site shows pictures of Ukrainian children and soldiers along with a call to action: “Today, we’re fighting against a terrorist state. And our victory will be the victory of the entire civilized world… Sometimes lighting a candle is enough to overpower the darkness.” The other half of the screen shows large “Donate” button.”

But Meduza has learned that at least a portion of the money donated through the site has gone not to Ukrainian causes but to the Russian paramilitary group Rusich — a detachment of neo-Nazis fighting in Ukraine on the side of the Russian army. At the very least, that’s who owns the cryptocurrency wallet listed as a donation method on the Happy New Life site, according to financial investigator Artem Irgebaev, who has thoroughly examined Rusich’s network of crypto accounts.

Rusich is known for its brutality. It leader, neo-Nazi Alexey Milchakov, has been photographed next to the mutilated bodies of Ukrainian soldiers, and the detachment’s Telegram channel has called for the torture of Ukrainian POWs and the murder of civilians.

Happy New Life founder Daniel Ovcharenko doesn’t know how the address for Rusich's crypto wallet got on the foundation’s site; according to him, a link to the charity’s own wallet used to be in the same spot on the homepage.

“I got the wallet that the foundation uses from [the cryptocurrency wallet software] MetaMask — and it’s completely different, except that the first three characters are the same [as the address of Rusich's wallet],” Ovcharenko told Meduza. He admitted that he himself had very little involvement with the site, and that he “didn’t double check the digits in the address [listed on its homepage].”

At some point, Rusich managed to hack into the Happy New Life site and switch out the crypto wallet link, Irgebaev told Meduza.

“A similar thing happened with a site that sold proxy servers, where one of the payment methods was crypto. An attacker replaced the site owner’s [crypto wallet] address with his own, and the site then worked like that for two days: people sent money not to the person selling servers, but to the hacker,” he explained. “Internet scammers do this regularly. And Rusich, it’s becoming clear, is a group with wide-ranging ‘talents’ — they have both mercenaries and hackers.”

The Rusich crypto wallet linked on the Happy New Life site is still receiving deposits. According to Etherscan.io, a website that catalogs Ethereum blockchain transactions, the wallet contains more than $7,000 with the current exchange rate.

Funding body armor through cybercrime

In late July, financial investigator Artem Irgebaev downloaded a game called Synthetik: Legion Rising from a torrent website. 

“My friends and I downloaded this ancient shooting game [Editor's note: the game came out in 2018] that was 700 megabytes, and we noticed that [after the torrent file downloaded on our computers, they started exhibiting] this sort of unhealthy behavior,” Irgebaev said. “We shut off the Internet and started digging to find out what kind of malware this was and what it was doing.”

The program didn’t steal any passwords, nor did it try to hijack their accounts. But upon closer inspection, Irgebaev “found several crypto wallet addresses directly in binary code.” It became clear that his device had been infected by something called clipboard malware that was built to steal cryptocurrency:

Here’s how it looks to the victim. Let’s say you want to send money to your friend. Entering his 32-character crypto wallet address is a tedious task, so you just copy it from your notes [to paste it] straight into your wallet or exchange account. The address goes onto your clipboard, and at that moment, the malware replaces it with the attackers’ address. Then, instead of going to the person the user intended, the money goes to the scammers.

Irgebaev gave Meduza the addresses found in the malware’s code. Both of them appear on lists of addresses associated with clipboard malware on the sites Bitcoinabuse.com and Checkbitcoinaddress.com, where people can post complaints about crypto wallets used by hackers and blackmailers.

But according to Irgebaev, the malware that infected his computer also had another function: it automatically installed cryptocurrency mining software on the infected device. “And the victim’s computer would start mining crypto,” he said.

Irgebaev stressed that at first, the malware didn’t surprise him: “It’s a standard scam. Nothing stood out.” But out of curiosity, he decided to Google the crypto wallet addresses contained in the code. That’s how he learned that they belonged not to run-of-the-mill hackers, but to the Russian neo-Nazi paramilitary group Rusich.

“[When I Googled the addresses], I immediately saw Telegram posts from Z (Editor’s note: pro-war) channels where users were soliciting donations for uniforms and gear for members of the pro-war activist group Rusich,” Irgebaev said. “Before, I thought that Russian hackers were focused on interfering in American elections. But as it turned out, this clipboard malware was a way of raising money for body armor.”

The funds sent to the paramilitary group’s crypto wallet are indeed used to fund combat equipment for Rusich fighters, who were seen on the Ukrainian front in April 2022. (By September, five crypto wallets belonging to the group came under U.S. sanctions.)

According to the group’s own Telegram channel, since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Rusich fighters have “worked” in the Kharkiv region, including in the village of Dovhenke, where they reportedly suffered serious losses (likely in July 2022). Later, in August, the group attacked the village of Marinka in the Donetsk region; the same month, multiple Rusich fighters were injured in combat in Zaporizhzhia. In October, the group posted a video on social media that showed its fighters firing on a Ukrainian evacuation brigade as it rushed to a medical vehicle.

Neo-Nazis on the dark web

The malware used by Rusich infected Irgebaev's computer after he downloaded a torrent file. That meant the paramilitary group must have had the necessary skills not only to built the program itself, but also to embed it in the file — in other words, the group had managed to gain access to the site with the torrest catalog.

However, Irgebaev told Meduza, planting the malware on the site may not have taken much technical expertise at all: the most likely explanation was that the neo-Nazis had paid professional cybercriminals to do the job for them.

This is called cybercrime as a service: every step of the crime consists of a service that can be purchased.

First, you buy access to the program you need on a shadow forum. Malware is usually something people rent — for example, $200 for a monthly subscription.

And to ensure that potential victims install the software, you can just pay the torrent catalog owner to add the malicious code to their torrents.

On the dark web, Rusich established relationships not only with hackers but also with drug traffickers — and, according to the group’s crypto wallets, they did deals with them as well.

“Between July and October 2022, the [Rusich] Sabotage and Assault Reconnaissance Group received $1,787 from three separate shadow marketplaces for drugs,” Irgebaev said.

The vendors or administrators of these dark web platforms may also have fallen victim to the malware distributed by Rusich — or they may have just paid for the group's services, according to Irgebaev. (Meduza has not found evidence that Rusich fighters were hired by these drug dealers.)

But there’s also another possibility: the entities who sent money to Rusich may have used the drug marketplaces to anonymize their transactions.

“Dark web stores act as large [money] laundering [schemes],” Irgebaev explained. “Upon registering, users receive personal accounts that they can deposit money into — but inside of the shop, transactions are done not with cryptocurrency, but with the platform’s internal currency. So the transactions themselves between clients and sellers are not visible in the blockchain; you can determine that money went into the marketplace, but it’s impossible to track where it went from there.”

That’s why Irgebaev knows the amounts Rusich received from the dark web stores, but not who sent the money.

Rusich itself also made purchases on the dark web, though not large ones. “An offering to the mephedrone demon, probably,” said Irgebaev. “The amount they spent will buy you a gram of something.”

$160,000 of ‘donations’

Large sums of money are constantly passing through Rusich’s crypto wallets. According to Irgebaev, the paramilitary group has received about $1,100 from mining, though it’s unclear whether the crypto was mined using servers that belong to the neo-Nazis themselves or with mining software planted on computers belonging to malware victims.

Rusich has received more than $160,000 through direct transactions to its crypto wallets. In its official fundraising announcements, the group shares the addresses of the same wallets it uses for hacking. According to Irgebaev, however, it’s quite possible that all of the money has come from malware and that none of it was willingly donated. This includes:

A total of 27.895704431 ETH (more than $45,000) was sent to Rusich's wallet on the Ethereum blockchain over the course of 146 transactions, with an average “donation” of more than $300;

A total of 2.26113377 BTC (more than $47,000) was sent to Rusich’s wallet on the Bitcoin blockchain over the course of 433 transactions, with an average “donation” of about $108;

51.811099906 ETC (about $1,228) was sent to Rusich’s wallet on the Ethereum Classic blockchain, with an average “donation” of about $1,228;

20,142.378595 USDC (more than $20,000) was sent to Rusich’s wallet on the USD Coin blockchain, with an average donation of $5,000;

And 51,000 USDT (about $51,000) was sent to Rusich’s wallet on the Ethereum blockchain over the course of 49 transactions, with an average “donation” of more than $1,000.

The scale of these transactions, and especially the sizes of the average individual deposits, led Irgebaev to suspect that they weren’t just casual contributions from Telegram users who encountered Rusich's calls for donations on “patriotic” channels.

“For me, the ‘donations’ of 0.1 bitcoin — which is a little over $2,000 — from addresses that emptied their accounts look quite dubious,” he told Meduza. “In other words, the entire balances of these wallets were sent to Rusich. And the wallets haven't been used since.”

Meduza asked Rusich leader Alexey Milchakov about all of it: the incoming money, the deals with the online drug marketplaces, the hacking of the Ukrainian charity foundation, and the malware that was used to steal cryptocurrency. He confirmed everything:

We have our own IT and finance departments that do indeed perform the operations you asked about. Yes, our IT department’s capabilities include hacking websites and other Internet resources belonging to the enemy, as well as other subversive activities in the information sphere, including work not only against the former so-called “Ukraine” (our work is much broader). And hacking the resource you mentioned [i.e. the Ukrainian charity website] is just the tip of the iceberg. And the department’s employees who have a direct impact on the deaths of the greatest number of people each month, by the way, are awarded very generously.

The finance department handles operations related to cryptocurrency, gemstones, money laundering (only outside of Russia: we respect the laws of our country) and cash-in-transit, including frequent trips to black market businessmen interested in becoming major sponsors (Mexico, Hong Kong, Somali, etc.). Our project receives huge (in our opinion) support from gangs, cartels, and syndicates who are unhappy with the planetary hegemony of the U.S.

Milchakov added that the Russians fighting in Ukraine as part of Rusich may receive donations from online drug dealers, including in the form of painkillers. In Milchakov’s view, the darknet marketplaces are “true patriots of Russia.”

“I personally don’t receive or store the division’s money,” he stressed. “I only decide how it gets spent.”

‘You relish their cries’

Rusich spends the crypto funds it raises on medical treatment for injured fighters as well as on the equipment it needs to keep fighting in the war: Motorola walkie-talkies, helmets, drone jammers, diesel generators, winter uniforms, sleeping bags, sights for anti-tank grenade launchers, stoves, and more.

But since the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, in addition to using the blockchain for its own purposes, Rusich also started promoting crypto among other Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine. In September 2022, the group proposed that other Russian formations use bitcoin to extort money from the relatives of Ukrainian POWs.

“Don’t just give up [...] the bodies of POWs [after you kill them],” the group urged on its Telegram channel. “Take a photo where the face is visible, and offer to let the relatives purchase information about their son or husband’s burial location for an amount between $2,000 and $5,000. The money can be sent to a Bitcoin wallet.”

That’s just a small excerpt of the group’s advice for interrogating Ukrainian soldiers; they also instructed Russian fighters to use torture when necessary to extract information from POWs that can later be used to target their families. “Chop off their fingers, cut off an ear, hit them in the groin or around their joints, [or] drive needs under their fingernails,” they wrote on social media. “Don’t be afraid to kill prisoners!”

Rusich fighters have advocated for the murder of civilians as well — for example, if they’ve witnessed Russian soldiers “screwing up.” The neo-Nazis have also called for ethnic cleansing on the occupied territories. “The entire non-white population [...] should be physically destroyed (some of them through scientific experiments),” representatives of the detachment wrote on Telegram. (The post was later deleted.)

Rusich's leaders have made no secret of the fact that they never planned to comply with international humanitarian law. “When you kill a piglet — everyone knows who I mean by ‘piglet’ — you enjoy the fact that his wife is becoming a widow,” Rusich member Yevgeny Rasskazov said in an interview in August. “You relish how they cry out for their whole family, how he’ll come home in a coffin. And you get an erection.”

“When you kill a person, you feel the excitement of the hunt. If you haven’t hunted, try it,” said Rusich leader Alexey Milchakov in an interview published in December 2020. One year and three months later, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

[recentlyheardcom]

Top Crypto Gainers Today Jul 30 - AIT Protocol, NEM, Metaplex, XPLA

Be a part of Our Telegram channel to remain updated on breaking information protection Because the cryptocurrency market expands, Russia plans to launch its first worldwide crypto funds by the tip of the yr. This transfer is a response to Western sanctions which have delayed international transactions for Russian companies. By utilizing cryptocurrencies, Russia goals to bypass these restrictions…

[bovaryhasan]

The Role of Blockchain in Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief

Known as the technology that underpins Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, blockchain is increasingly being used in humanitarian aid and disaster relief. It can offer a number of advantages in these contexts, including security, transparency, and efficiency. However, there are some key caveats to this approach that should be considered, as discussed below.

One major concern is that blockchain requires an Internet connection and electricity to operate, which can be challenging in a humanitarian crisis zone. This can be overcome by designing solutions that are able to run offline and on mobile devices, but this will need to be carefully designed. In addition, blockchain is very energy-intensive and will always require computers and servers to process transactions. This can be a challenge in a country with limited energy infrastructure and frequent brownouts.

Another concern is that the use of blockchain will increase transaction costs for humanitarian organisations, which may be unable to absorb these increases in cost. This is a legitimate concern, as the overheads of humanitarian organizations are already high, and adding blockchain to these tech ogle existing processes could lead to an even greater burden on these organizations. This can be reduced through innovative uses of blockchain, such as the WFP Building Blocks program, which aimed to reduce transaction costs by distributing food in digital e-vouchers rather than cash (WFP, 2021). This allowed refugees to purchase food at selected markets with their retinal scan, significantly reducing transaction fees and enabling this money to be reinvested into empowering people rather than paying for the system.

In another example, Blockchain is being used by the humanitarian organisation BanQu to create economic identities for displaced individuals, so that they can access financial services and rebuild their lives (BanQu, 2023). It also helps to avoid corruption and fraud, as it is difficult to manipulate the ledger of transactions because it is decentralized and trustless.

The Blockchain and Web3 technology news communities can play a significant role in humanitarian innovation by providing an alternative to mainstream donors. By using crypto philanthropy, the community can support local NGOs working on the ground in areas like Syria that are not receiving any funding or attention, but are putting their lives on the line to help Syrians, Kurds, Yezidis and Alevis who are caught up in the politicization of the conflict and are struggling to survive. This type of grassroots philanthropy will help to shift the power away from governments and large corporations towards local communities who are the real victims of the conflict. This will help to counteract the current narrative that the conflict is being won by Russia and Iran, and allow these communities to see themselves as equal partners in the process of reconstruction and reconciliation.

[turkishnyradio]

Alert: Russia’s 2024 Cross-Border Crypto Payments Plan – A Game-Changer for Global Transactions!

[timesofinnovation]

The Russian government is considering the use of cryptocurrencies for international payments amid ongoing Western sanctions. This potential shift in financial strategy marks a significant departure from the country's previous stance on digital currencies, a development that could reshape the global financial landscape. Historically, the Russian Central Bank has had a cautious approach towards cryptocurrencies, citing risks associated with financial stability and money laundering. However, the severe economic sanctions imposed by Western countries have necessitated exploring alternative mechanisms for international trade. In a recent statement, the Deputy Finance Minister highlighted that integrating cryptocurrencies could provide a viable solution to circumvent the barriers posed by sanctions. This includes enabling cross-border transactions without relying on traditional banking systems, which are currently under stringent scrutiny and restrictions. This strategic pivot comes at a critical time. Western sanctions have exerted immense pressure on Russia's economy, affecting various sectors including banking and energy exports. For instance, Russian banks have been disconnected from the SWIFT international payment system, posing significant challenges for international trade. Implementing cryptocurrency payments could alleviate some of these challenges. For example, blockchain technology offers transparency and security, reducing the chances of transaction disruptions. Moreover, cryptocurrency transactions can be executed swiftly, with lower transaction fees compared to conventional banking systems. To understand the broader implications, consider Venezuela's adoption of the petro cryptocurrency in response to U.S. sanctions. While the impact was mixed, it underscored the potential of digital currencies to offer economic resilience in the face of geopolitical constraints. In conclusion, Russia's exploration of cryptocurrencies for international payments amid Western sanctions signifies a transformative approach to navigating economic pressures. As the country delves deeper into the crypto ecosystem, this move could set a precedent for other nations facing similar economic hurdles. https://timesofinnovation.com/russia-considers-cryptocurrencies-for-international-payments-amid-western-sanctions/?feed_id=306&_unique_id=669b14802f1cb&utm_source=Tumblr&utm_medium=editor15&utm_campaign=FS%20Poster

[drewssam]

The Central Bank of Iran (CBI) is collaborating with the Russian Federation to develop a gold-backed stablecoin, aiming to facilitate foreign trade transactions, according to Alexander Brazhnikov, executive director of the Russian Association of Crypto Industry and Blockchain (RACIB). The stablecoin is intended to streamline trade in the special economic zone in Astrakhan, where Russia receives goods from Iran. Negotiations for the stablecoin's launch are ongoing, with State Duma deputy Anton Tkachev confirming that discussions will escalate to the state level once cryptocurrency regulations are in place in Russia. While the Central Bank of Russia does not support cryptocurrencies as retail payment methods domestically, it is open to their use in import and export transactions. Additionally, following the European Union's prohibition of crypto services for Russian residents post-Russia's Ukraine invasion, Alexander Lebedev's startup, InDefi, aimed to launch a stablecoin modelled after MakerDAO's DAI on the Ethereum blockchain. Despite Russia's ban on digital payments in July 2022, the Bank of Russia and Finance Ministry acknowledged the necessity of cross-border settlements in cryptocurrency. Furthermore, Iran's government approved crypto fund usage for imports in August 2022, enabling circumvention of US sanctions, with around 4.5% of global Bitcoin mining occurring in Iran, generating approximately $1 billion in annual revenue, as per Elliptic's 2021 report.

[cyberbenb]

Bloomberg: US and UK tracking $20 billion in crypto transfers to Russia

The U.S. and U.K. are investigating several cryptocurrency transactions valued at more than $20 billion that passed through a Russian-based virtual exchange, Bloomberg reported on March 28. The transa Source : kyivindependent.com/bloomberg…