In the world of cryptocurrency, regulations continue to shape markets in subtle and direct ways. Recently, Binance, a renowned cryptocurrency exchange, introduced fresh restrictions on its Peer-to-Peer (P2P) trading platform, specifically targeted at its Russian clients. This move has narrowed down choices for Russian users, as they are now limited to using the Russian ruble (RUB) as their sole fiat currency on this platform.
However, these restrictions come with a silver lining, they do pave way for the country’s residents to retain exclusive control over the use of RUB in the crypto currency space within Russia. The flip side is that those among them residing outside Russia have had their use of currencies such as the RUB, Euro (EUR), U.S. Dollar (USD), and the Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH) on the same platform banned.
Eligibility for RUB use within the platform is tethered to a triad of conditions such as possessing Russian Know-Your-Customer (KYC) verification, being of Russian nationality and providing a tangible Russian proof of address. The impact of the changes has been felt more acutely by Russians residing in other countries, making it difficult for them to convert their RUB from Russian banks to other currencies via the P2P service of Binance.
In light of the imposed restrictions, one might wonder whether they are a by-product of western sanctions or an outcome of the Russian government’s response to the crashing ruble amidst restrictions on fiat deposits and transfers imposed by local banks.
Binance’s stipulations have added to the pool of measures currently affecting Russian users on their platform. This follows the recent omission of sanctioned Russian banks, Tinkoff and Rosban, from their list of accepted payments on the P2P platform. Yet, whether these restrictions are a tool of foreign policy or part of a broader narrative, remains an interesting topic of discourse. In this potent cocktail of regulation and restriction, the future of Binance and its Russian customer base hangs in the balance, stirring intrigue in the wider crypto community.
Source: Cointelegraph
