Journalists have familiarized themselves with the documents submitted to the Bank of Russia Neolombard network (company Lombard CityCredit). The company’s specialists ask for an explanation of the possibility of accepting cryptocurrency as collateral for loans.
“Digital currencies are becoming increasingly popular among Russians and, while not yet legally able to be a means of payment, act as an investment tool or a means of savings both for investors and miners (miners). Being, in fact, digital gold (you can own it, but you can’t pay it in a store),” explained CEO of Neolombard Marina Brazhnikova.
According to Brazhnikova, pawnshops, “having established themselves in the segment of lending against gold, are seeking to enter a promising niche of CFA.
“Neolombard” has already received an answer.. The Central Bank explained that digital currencies are recognized as property only for the purposes of the laws “On Combating Money Laundering,” “On Insolvency” and “On Countering Corruption.
In other cases, “the legislation does not establish a legal basis for the circulation of digital currency.”. However, according to journalists, the Central Bank found no reason to ban such activities.
Russia has seen a decline in interest in services that provide access to digital assets. According to a study conducted by the mobile operator Yota, over the year demand fell by 35%;
Meanwhile, the Russian Finance Ministry advises Russians to stop storing their savings in cryptocurrency. The head of the department of financial policy of the ministry Ivan Chebeskov said that people with average income should not buy crypto-assets;