Crypto Payments in Russia: How Russians Use Bitcoin and Stablecoins Despite Sanctions

When Western banks cut Russia off in 2022, crypto payments in Russia, the use of digital currencies to buy goods, services, and send money across borders without banks. Also known as cryptocurrency transactions in Russia, it became a lifeline—not a choice, but a necessity. Overnight, Russians turned to Bitcoin, USDT, and other stablecoins to pay for everything from groceries to medical supplies. With SWIFT blocked and foreign credit cards frozen, crypto wasn’t trendy—it was survival.

This shift wasn’t just about avoiding sanctions. It was about access. Bitcoin, a decentralized digital currency that operates without banks or government control. Also known as BTC, it became Russia’s unofficial currency for cross-border trade. Russian businesses started accepting BTC directly from foreign clients. Farmers sold wheat to buyers in Turkey using Bitcoin. Tech workers in Moscow got paid in USDT by clients in India. Even state-run companies like Rosneft quietly started using crypto to trade oil with non-Western partners. Meanwhile, stablecoins, digital tokens pegged to real-world currencies like the US dollar to avoid volatility. Also known as digital dollars, they became the go-to for everyday spending. Tether (USDT) now accounts for over 80% of all crypto transactions inside Russia. People use it to pay rent, order food delivery, and even buy train tickets—because it’s stable, fast, and doesn’t need a bank.

It’s not perfect. The government doesn’t legalize crypto, but it also doesn’t stop it. You won’t find crypto ATMs in every mall, but you’ll find Telegram groups where people trade USDT for cash. You won’t see ads for Bitcoin on TV, but you’ll hear about it from friends who got paid in crypto after losing their jobs at foreign firms. The real story isn’t about rebellion—it’s about adaptation. Russians didn’t choose crypto because they loved blockchain. They chose it because the system failed them.

What you’ll find below are real cases, clear breakdowns, and honest reviews of how crypto payments actually work in Russia today. No hype. No theory. Just what people are doing right now to keep their lives running when the old system won’t let them through.