Moscow Exchange to List Bitcoin and Tether USDT in December Despite U.S. Sanctions

The Moscow Exchange, Russia’s largest securities marketplace, plans to list bitcoin and Tether’s USDT stablecoin in December, according to a report by The Bell. The move comes as the exchange, which was sanctioned by the U.S. in June 2024, seeks to capture crypto trading volume that Russian investors currently conduct on foreign platforms. Tether, the issuer of USDT, has previously frozen wallets linked to entities on the U.S. sanctions list, adding complexity to the listing. The exchange’s initiative signals Russia’s broader push to integrate digital assets into its financial system amid ongoing Western sanctions. By offering these cryptocurrencies, Moscow Exchange aims to provide a regulated domestic venue for trading, potentially reducing reliance on offshore exchanges. This development could reshape Russia’s crypto market and test the effectiveness of international sanctions on financial infrastructure.