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Re:Russian central bank confirms block on foreign bids to se... by Tenoke on Monday February 28, 2022 @06:42AM (#30498802)
I expect it's easy to send funds via crypto to and from there and regardless of sanctions from the west. It's unlikely to be the only solution even after swift and other bans but it's an easyish extra option, especially for those already familiar with the ecosystem.
Re:Russian central bank confirms block on foreign bids to se... by shafyy on Monday February 28, 2022 @06:52AM (#30498862)
Ok, let's say it is easier and cheaper to send funds via crypto (which I'd argue is not generally the case). I'm a Russian in Russia and somebody sent me some Bitcoin. What do I do next to use this money?
Re:Russian central bank confirms block on foreign bids to se... by Tenoke on Monday February 28, 2022 @07:05AM (#30498963)
Localbitcoin/local crypto/localmonero and similar (e.g. asking at a crypto meetup forum) are an option if bank transfers don't work. Bitcoin ATMs if you really are in a hurry and willing to take a potentially high exchange rate hit.

Otherwise there's exchanges which still operate within Russia for the time being and some business (tho too rare to be useful but In a big city, if you don't have funds others than what was sent to you, you might be able to buy more than otherwise) accept it though I wouldn't rely on that too much unless you know a specific one.

Re:Russian central bank confirms block on foreign bids to se... by toyg on Monday February 28, 2022 @07:53AM (#30499289)
Until a quick decree makes bitcoin exchanges illegal.
Re:Russian central bank confirms block on foreign bids to se... by shafyy on Monday February 28, 2022 @08:24AM (#30499526)
Ok, but at this point I could have just gotten Ruble in the first place no?
Re:Russian central bank confirms block on foreign bids to se... by Tenoke on Monday February 28, 2022 @08:28AM (#30499564)
If you can then sure it's not for you.

However, not everyone can receive or send rubles as easily to/from the west especially after the SWIFT and related bans. Either way, it doesn't hurt to have the extra option.

Re:Russian central bank confirms block on foreign bids to se... by kwhitefoot on Monday February 28, 2022 @08:15AM (#30499462)
> Bitcoin ATMs

Where might I find one of these (near mythical) beasts?

Re:Russian central bank confirms block on foreign bids to se... by Tenoke on Monday February 28, 2022 @08:22AM (#30499506)
Search near your location at:

https://coinatmradar.com/

https://www.bitcoin.com/bitcoin-atm/

I've been seeing them occasionally in big cities since 2014-15 though again it's never worth it at least for me - the exchange rate is typically pretty bad and I'd rather wait but go through a low fee/feeless option.

Re:Russian central bank confirms block on foreign bids to se... by kwhitefoot on Friday March 04, 2022 @09:02AM (#30554818)
Nearest is in Kiel, just short of 600 km away. If I drive to it it will take about eleven hours and involve driving in four countries to drive almost 1000 km.
Re:Russian central bank confirms block on foreign bids to se... by syntheweave on Monday February 28, 2022 @07:13AM (#30499018)
Find another person who accepts Bitcoin and do business with them. Neither of you has to exchange to rubles to participate in the economy.

At some point the flow does have to exit to something that a corporation or ministry controls; so an exchange business will necessarily appear, even if it's extremely high risk; someone will be in a position to pull strings. It's not a stretch when you look at how countries with weak local currencies have been operating for decades, just usually with USD as the preferred trade currency instead.