The Russian government and its central bank have agreed to recognize digital assets, like Bitcoin, as a form of currency, according to local reports. Russian newspaper Kommersant reported that the two are currently working on legislation that will define crypto as an “analogue of currencies” from 18 February, rather than digital financial assets. Bitcoin transactions and possession are allowed currently if carried out through a bank or a peer-to-peer exchange licensed within Russia.
A New York husband and wife have been charged with conspiracy to defraud the US and laundering $3.9bn in stolen Bitcoin in what is one of the biggest alleged crypto frauds yet. Ilya Lichtenstein and Heather Morgan, who is also known as rapper ‘Razzlekhan,’ used fake accounts and identities to convert Bitcoin into other digital currencies via “darknet markets” and “chain hopping.”