Russia Caves In on Bitcoin to Open Front on Money Laundering

  • Bitcoin users in Russia may no longer need to fear jail time
  • Cryptocurrencies may be recognized in 2018, Moiseev says

A collection of bitcoin tokens stand an arranged photograph.

Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
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Only a year ago Russia’s Finance Ministry was threatening jail time to anyone using digital currencies.

In a major U-turn, it’s now edging closer to their acceptance as a legitimate financial instrument to open a new line of attack on money laundering.