Russian Lawmakers Delay Bitcoin Regulation Bill

Russian Media Outlet Pundit Weighs in on the Law

Politicians have decided to withhold the bill due to recent fluctuations on the bitcoin market, as well as legal questions that have surfaced after the BTC-E take down. Elina Leonidovna Sidorenko, working for Russian media outlet Invest-Foresight, explained her reasoning for the push back.

“In April, we announced that the draft law would be ready in October. However, the situation on the market made us, in addition to the main bill, consider several more options. And now all these projects are postponed, we are watching the situation to understand.” Sidorenko also added;

    Which solution will be optimal? Without coordination with ministries and departments, without developing a unified position, we are unlikely to advance..

She further explained the delays have to do with how the government should define cryptocurrencies. She said Russia will not go the same route as Japan and call it a payment means. It appears they may take a stand similar to that of the United States IRS or SEC. In other words, it may be a digital security or property. Sidorenko elaborated:

    It is of fundamental importance for us to keep the approach to the crypto currency as a certain commodity.

Russian authorities are also trying to determine if cryptocurrency regulation should follow existing laws or the regulations should be drafted as a new law. In either case, it appears that Russian policymakers will not deliver a decision anytime too soon.