Russia Uses Crypto to Bypass Oil Trade Sanctions

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📈 Preview On Today’s News:

1. - Russia Uses Crypto to Bypass Oil Trade Sanctions

2. - North Korea Becomes World’s Third Largest Government Bitcoin Holder

3. - Kevin O’Leary Predicts Crypto’s Integration as the 12th Sector of the US Economy

Keep reading below for more!

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Today’s News:

1)

Russia Uses Crypto to Bypass Oil Trade Sanctions

Russia is increasingly utilizing cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and stablecoins like Tether (USDT) to facilitate oil trade with India and China, helping bypass Western sanctions. According to a Reuters report, Russian oil companies are converting Chinese yuan and Indian rupees into rubles using digital assets, circumventing traditional banking systems and avoiding dependence on the U.S. dollar. This strategy follows Russia’s 2024 legislation allowing the use of crypto in international trade, even as domestic crypto payments remain banned. Additionally, Russia is trialing crypto trading for select high-net-worth investors under strict regulations, aiming to balance economic stability and regulatory control.

• Russia leverages Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins in oil trades with India and China to sidestep Western sanctions and bypass traditional banking systems.

• The approach aligns with Russia's 2024 legislation on international crypto use and includes a trial for regulated crypto trading by select wealthy investors.

2)

North Korea Becomes World’s Third Largest Government Bitcoin Holder

North Korea has become the third largest government holder of Bitcoin after converting stolen Ethereum into Bitcoin, now holding 13,562 BTC valued at approximately $1.14 billion. This surpasses the holdings of El Salvador (6,117 BTC) and Bhutan (10,635 BTC), placing North Korea behind only the United States and the United Kingdom in government Bitcoin ownership. The increase in North Korea’s crypto assets follows the Bybit exchange hack and highlights the regime’s reliance on cyberattacks and illicit activities to fund state initiatives and evade international sanctions, raising concerns over the role of cryptocurrency in global security.

• North Korea holds 13,562 BTC (worth $1.14 billion), becoming the third largest government Bitcoin holder after converting stolen Ethereum from a Bybit hack.

• Its growing crypto reliance, driven by cyberattacks and sanctions evasion, places it behind only the U.S. and U.K., raising global security concerns.

3)

Kevin O’Leary Predicts Crypto’s Integration as the 12th Sector of the US Economy

Billionaire investor Kevin O’Leary, speaking with Lara Trump on Fox News, emphasized that cryptocurrencies are moving beyond their early, unregulated “cowboy era” and are poised to become a formal part of the US financial system. He highlighted the growing role of government regulation, particularly under Trump’s proposed policies, which aim to integrate crypto into traditional financial institutions. O’Leary believes cryptocurrencies will evolve into a recognized payment system, investment vehicle, and ultimately be classified as the 12th sector of the American economy alongside existing industries.

• Kevin O’Leary asserts that cryptocurrencies have matured past their unregulated phase and are now on track for integration into traditional US financial institutions under increased regulation.

• He predicts crypto will become a formal payment system, investment vehicle, and the 12th sector of the US economy, reshaping its role in mainstream finance.

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