Our Summary:Russia has registered its first cryptocurrency exchanges and custodians under new regulations, marking a significant step in the country's crypto market. The Bank of Russia has listed four exchanges and five custodians, including Sberbank, which plans to launch crypto products by December 1. The move comes after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a crypto law in August, creating a regulated framework for the industry.

Our Summary:Russia's central bank had forecast around 60,000 digital ruble accounts by the end of the year, but over 220,000 people opened accounts in the first month after the nationwide rollout began on September 1, according to the Bank of Russia Deputy Governor Zulfiya Kakhrumanova. The digital ruble now sits as Russia's third official form of money, and large retailers and major banks were required to support the system from launch.

Our Summary:Russia's digital ruble has seen an impressive first month, with over 220,000 accounts opened, exceeding the central bank's forecast by nearly 4 times. This early adoption comes as BRICS nations explore linking their digital currencies for cross-border trade and payments, driven by Russia's need for alternative payment options due to Western sanctions.