Token2049

Token2049 is the premier global crypto event series, with flagship 2026 editions in Dubai (April) and Singapore (October). It brings together the most influential VCs, founders, and institutional leaders to define industry trends. This tag tracks high-level networking insights and breakthroughs in DePIN, GameFi, and mass-market Web3 adoption emerging from these world-class summits.

454 Articles
Created: 2026/02/02 18:52
Updated: 2026/02/02 18:52
A7A5 Becomes Top Non-Dollar Stablecoin Amid Sanctions

A7A5 Becomes Top Non-Dollar Stablecoin Amid Sanctions

The post A7A5 Becomes Top Non-Dollar Stablecoin Amid Sanctions appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. A7A5, a Russian ruble-backed stablecoin issued in Kyrgyzstan, has become the world’s biggest non-US dollar stablecoin despite facing multiple sanctions. A7A5’s market capitalization stood at almost $500 million on Monday, about 43% of the total $1.2 billion market cap of non-US dollar stablecoins, according to data from CoinMarketCap and DefiLlama. “We have already proven that a national digital currency can be not only an alternative to the dollar but also a driver of global change,” A7A5 wrote on its Telegram channel on Saturday. The statement came as the project drew attention at Token2049, a major crypto industry event in Singapore, where its presence raised questions about sanctions compliance and the project’s growing international exposure. A7A5: A brief timeline of sanctions The A7A5 stablecoin was launched in February as a “token backed by a diversified portfolio of fiat deposits held in reliable banks within Kyrgyzstan’s network.” Pegged 1:1 to Russia’s national fiat currency, the ruble, A7A5 promised to distribute a daily passive income equal to half of the interest on deposits. The token was initially issued on two blockchain networks, Ethereum and Tron. Soon after its debut, blockchain analysts linked A7A5 to Grinex, a crypto exchange widely seen as the successor to the sanctioned Russian Garantex exchange. In mid-August, the US Treasury announced sanctions against Garantex and related entities, highlighting Moldovan oligarch Ilan Shor as the owner of A7A5’s issuer, the sanctioned Russian bank Promsvyazbank PSB. The US Treasury Department announced sanctions against Garantex and related entities on Aug. 14, 2025. Source: Treasury.gov The United Kingdom also promptly imposed sanctions on several banks in Kyrgyzstan, reporting that Russia used A7A5 to bypass Western financial restrictions. A7A5 added $350 million in one day Despite broad sanctions, A7A5’s market value has held steady between $120 million and $140 million. On Sept. 25, A7A5’s…

Author: BitcoinEthereumNews
Ethereum News: BitMine Expands Ethereum Treasury to $13 Billion After Major Purchase

Ethereum News: BitMine Expands Ethereum Treasury to $13 Billion After Major Purchase

BitMine expands Ethereum treasury to $13 billion with 179,251 ETH purchase, strengthening its corporate crypto strategy and market influence. BitMine Immersion Technologies, a leading publicly traded crypto firm, has significantly expanded its Ethereum treasury. The company bought 179,251 ETH last week, which is equivalent to $823 million according to the current market prices. This purchase […] The post Ethereum News: BitMine Expands Ethereum Treasury to $13 Billion After Major Purchase appeared first on Live Bitcoin News.

Author: LiveBitcoinNews
Sanctioned A7A5 Climbs as Top Non-USD Stablecoin amid $6B Flows

Sanctioned A7A5 Climbs as Top Non-USD Stablecoin amid $6B Flows

A ruble-backed stablecoin called A7A5 (issued in Kyrgyzstan and tied to Russian state institutions) has surged to become the world’s largest non-U.S. dollar stablecoin by market capitalization, despite multiple sanctions and efforts to stem its growth. Volatile Growth & Market Capitalization Surge On September 25, A7A5’s market value increased by $350 million in a single […]

Author: Tronweekly
Sanctioned Russian Stablecoin A7A5 Becomes Largest Non-Dollar Digital Currency

Sanctioned Russian Stablecoin A7A5 Becomes Largest Non-Dollar Digital Currency

A Russian ruble-backed digital currency has overtaken all competitors to become the world's largest non-US dollar stablecoin, even as Western governments try to shut it down through sanctions.

Author: Brave Newcoin
Sanctions-Defying Ruble-Backed Stablecoin Explodes to $500M – Is This Russia’s Answer to the Dollar?

Sanctions-Defying Ruble-Backed Stablecoin Explodes to $500M – Is This Russia’s Answer to the Dollar?

A new Russian-linked stablecoin, A7A5, has surged to a $500 million market capitalization, becoming the world’s largest non-U.S. dollar stablecoin despite multiple international sanctions. The stablecoin, issued in Kyrgyzstan and pegged 1:1 to the Russian ruble, now accounts for roughly 43% of the total $1.2 billion non-dollar stablecoin market, according to data from CoinMarketCap and DeFiLlama.Source: DefiLlama Its rapid ascent has raised alarms among Western regulators who believe the project could be helping Russia skirt financial restrictions imposed after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. “Digital Ruble” A7A5 Skyrockets 250% as Sanctioned Russian Bank Backs Stablecoin A7A5 was launched in February by A7, a cross-border payments firm owned by Moldovan fugitive banker Ilan Shor and Russia’s state-owned lender Promsvyazbank (PSB). Both entities are under U.S., U.K., and European Union sanctions. The token was introduced as a “digital ruble” backed by fiat deposits in Kyrgyz banks, offering holders a daily passive income equivalent to half the interest on those deposits. Initially issued on Ethereum and Tron, A7A5 positioned itself as a tool for international settlements with Russian trade partners. Soon after its debut, blockchain investigators linked the project to Grinex, a crypto exchange viewed as the successor to the sanctioned Russian platform Garantex. The U.S. Treasury sanctioned Garantex and related entities in August, identifying Shor as a co-owner of A7A5’s issuer, alongside Promsvyazbank. The U.K. followed with sanctions against several Kyrgyz banks, citing evidence that Moscow was using the stablecoin network to bypass the Western financial system. Despite these sanctions, A7A5’s market value remained stable through the summer before exploding in late September. On September 25, its market cap jumped by $350 million in a single day, a 250% increase, overtaking Circle’s euro-pegged EURC as the leading non-dollar stablecoin. Blockchain data from Elliptic shows that more than 41 billion A7A5 tokens were in circulation by September 26, with total transaction volumes exceeding $68 billion. The project’s Telegram channel celebrated the milestone, claiming A7A5 had “proven that a national digital currency can be not only an alternative to the dollar but also a driver of global change.” However, Western authorities view it differently. TRM Labs Flags $1B Daily Flows Through A7A5 as EU Weighs Sanctions Earlier today, Bloomberg reported that the European Union is preparing to impose new sanctions on A7A5, prohibiting any transactions involving the token by EU-based entities. The proposal would also target several banks in Russia, Belarus, and Central Asia, accused of facilitating crypto-related payments tied to Moscow. A7A5’s growth coincides with Russia’s push to develop alternatives to the SWIFT payment system, from which it was excluded in 2022. Analysts say the stablecoin offers a practical workaround for Russian companies struggling with delayed cross-border payments. According to public filings, firms using A7A5 can settle international transactions within five working days, far faster than the weeks or months typically required through traditional banking routes. Data from blockchain analytics firms Elliptic and TRM Labs suggest that A7A5 is now transacting more than $1 billion daily, with total transaction volume surpassing $41 billion by late August. TRM Labs also warned that the stablecoin may be facilitating the purchase of dual-use goods, items with both civilian and military applications, through trade routes involving China and Central Asia. The Centre for Information Resilience (CIR) reported that nearly 78% of A7A5’s transactions in August flowed through Chinese jurisdictions. CIR also noted that A7A5 has expanded its presence in Africa, establishing offices in Nigeria and Zimbabwe. A7A5 drew international attention at the Token2049 conference in Singapore last month, where company executive Oleg Ogienko appeared on stage. Its presence at the event sparked debate over compliance standards at crypto industry gatherings, with calls for tighter rules to prevent sanctioned entities from gaining exposure. Although A7A5 claims independence from Shor and PSB, regulatory documents indicate both remain heavily involved. Shor, wanted in Moldova for a $1 billion fraud known as “the theft of the century,” retains a 51% ownership stake in A7, with PSB holding the remaining 49%. PSB, which serves Russia’s defense sector, was sanctioned by the U.S. and its allies in 2022. Despite skepticism about its transparency and concentration of activity, A7A5’s momentum continues to build. The token has attracted roughly 24,000 holders, with over $100 million in USDT liquidity added to its decentralized exchange in recent weeks

Author: CryptoNews
EU Is Sanctioning This Stablecoin, But Russian Strings Run Deep

EU Is Sanctioning This Stablecoin, But Russian Strings Run Deep

The post EU Is Sanctioning This Stablecoin, But Russian Strings Run Deep appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. New reports claim that the EU is considering sanctions against A7A5, a ruble-backed stablecoin. The firm has been circumstantially linked to international money laundering, but there are many unanswered questions. Meanwhile, the token has been growing in prominence despite US sanctions, moving $6 billion since August. A7A5 is now the world’s largest non-dollar stablecoin, and it’s making crucial inroads with the crypto community. Sponsored Sanctions Against A7A5? Since a Kyrgyzstani firm launched A7A5 a few months ago, the asset has attracted a lot of controversy. Although its direct connections to the Russian government are unclear, A7A5 has surfaced in international money laundering and alleged election interference in Moldova. To that end, the EU is considering new sanctions against A7A5, a few weeks after the US took similar measures. However, it’s unclear how much this will accomplish. Even though legal pressure is mounting from leading financial markets, A7A5’s market cap has increased, making it the world’s largest non-dollar stablecoin: A7A5 Market Cap (Self-Reported). Source: CoinMarketCap Rising Prominence in Crypto Indeed, despite the threat of sanctions, A7A5 has been making numerous inroads with the international crypto community. The firm was recently listed as a platinum sponsor at TOKEN2049, a major industry conference. Sponsored Although community backlash and questionable legal status caused organizers to revoke its sponsor designation, it still played a prominent role. 📍A7A5 at TOKEN2049: How non-USD stablecoins are reshaping global finance At the flagship crypto conference in Singapore, A7A5 presented a strategic view on the future of stablecoins. Key points from the talk by Oleg Ogienko, Director of International Development: 🔵 By 2028,… pic.twitter.com/hkF5aDehn9 — A7A5 (@A7A5official) October 2, 2025 Furthermore, we have one important piece of data regarding the efficacy of sanctions against A7A5, and it’s not promising. Since the US sanctions took place in August, the token has…

Author: BitcoinEthereumNews
Will Pro-Crypto Decisions in the US Be Reversed After Trump? Bitwise CEO Responds

Will Pro-Crypto Decisions in the US Be Reversed After Trump? Bitwise CEO Responds

The post Will Pro-Crypto Decisions in the US Be Reversed After Trump? Bitwise CEO Responds appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. US President Donald Trump’s cryptocurrency policies could be one of the administration’s most enduring legacies, according to Bitwise’s CEO. Speaking at the Token2049 event in Singapore, Bitwise Asset Management CEO Hunter Horsley stated his belief that the crypto industry will remain strong in the post-Trump era. “It’s nice that people are thinking about it,” Horsley said, “but I’m not worried.” Founded in 2017, Bitwise is known as one of the industry’s largest crypto fundraisers. Horsley explained that the company has worked with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) over multiple administrations, but recently the agency has gained significant momentum regarding crypto regulations. “The president has a directive. The president’s chosen leader has assigned staff to this role, and staff want to receive positive performance evaluations. It’s a pretty clear structure,” he said. Horsley stated that with Paul Atkins taking over as head of the SEC this year, the institution’s attitude has changed radically compared to the previous administration, and pointed out the main reasons why crypto has taken root in the financial markets: Crypto Laws Are Now “Permanent” The Genius Act, signed by Trump in July, accelerated digital dollar initiatives in the financial world. According to Horsley, banks, fintech companies, and crypto firms are now operating in this space, and reversing it would be political suicide. Crypto Assets Now Supported by Both Parties Horsley noted that cryptocurrency policy is becoming increasingly bipartisan. “Democrats and Republicans alike are realizing that this is an area that needs to be supported and won,” he said. He reminded that in 2024, the crypto lobby fund Fairshake raised $260 million and supported many “pro-crypto” candidates, including Trump. Horsley, who predicted that this situation would remove crypto from the center of political debate in the upcoming elections, concluded his speech with the following statement: “More…

Author: BitcoinEthereumNews
Aussivo Debuts Verification Layer For Cloud at Token2049, Pioneering Blockchain Transparency

Aussivo Debuts Verification Layer For Cloud at Token2049, Pioneering Blockchain Transparency

Aussivo unveiled its Verification Layer for Cloud Infrastructure at Token2049. Aussivo's Advanced Security Agent (ASA) monitors cloud workloads for threats. Every scan is cryptographically signed and recorded on-chain.

Author: Hackernoon
BitMine Makes Massive Ethereum Play, Cementing Its Lead as Top Corporate ETH Holder

BitMine Makes Massive Ethereum Play, Cementing Its Lead as Top Corporate ETH Holder

The crypto industry’s largest Ethereum treasury just got even bigger. BitMine Immersion Technologies, a publicly traded firm known for its […] The post BitMine Makes Massive Ethereum Play, Cementing Its Lead as Top Corporate ETH Holder appeared first on Coindoo.

Author: Coindoo
EU targets ruble-backed stablecoin A7A5 in new sanctions push

EU targets ruble-backed stablecoin A7A5 in new sanctions push

The post EU targets ruble-backed stablecoin A7A5 in new sanctions push appeared on BitcoinEthereumNews.com. The European Union is moving to impose sanctions on A7A5, a ruble-backed stablecoin tied to sanctioned Russian actors, according to internal documents allegedly reviewed by Bloomberg. The proposal would block any direct or indirect transactions between EU-based entities and the token. It would also hit several banks in Russia, Belarus, and Central Asia that have been facilitating crypto-related payments linked to Moscow. Officials have said that all 27 member states must approve the plan before it takes effect. As of press time, A7A5, A7, and Promsvyazbank (PSB) have not answered emailed requests for comment. A7A5 was developed by A7, a cross-border payments company owned by Moldovan fugitive banker Ilan Shor and the Russian state-owned lender PSB. Both entities are already under Western restrictions. According to regulatory records, Shor and his subsidiaries built channels for Russian businesses to keep making international payments disrupted by U.S. sanctions, often through arrangements with Russian crypto exchange Garantex, also sanctioned. PSB was blacklisted by the UK, EU, and U.S. in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Garantex, which helped set up A7A5, was sanctioned that same year, while A7 itself was sanctioned earlier this year. EU blocks engagement with A7A5-linked networks Elliptic data shows there were 41.6 billion A7A5 tokens in circulation worth $496 million on September 26. The total volume of transactions hit $68 billion by that date. Issued in Kyrgyzstan, A7A5 has become the largest non-U.S. dollar stablecoin globally with a market cap of about $500 million, capturing 43% of the $1.2 billion non-dollar stablecoin market, according to CoinMarketCap and DefiLlama. On its Telegram channel, the project said it had “proven that a national digital currency can be not only an alternative to the dollar but also a driver of global change.” The token drew scrutiny at the Token2049 conference in Singapore, where…

Author: BitcoinEthereumNews