A number one Russian economist has warned Moscow in opposition to creating a nationwide strategic Bitcoin reserve, calling crypto stockpiles a “ticking time bomb.”
Per the Russian media outlet MoneyTimes.ru, the feedback got here from Valentin Katasonov, the Chairman of the S. F. Sharapov Russian Financial Society and a Physician of Economics.
Russian Economist: Strategic Bitcoin Reserves Discuss ‘Like Laying Landmines’
Katasonov mentioned he was involved in regards to the want for Russia “to take a cautious strategy” to the concept of “making a crypto reserve.”

The economist used an allegory to clarify his viewpoint, equating making a nationwide crypto reserve to “laying landmines” in Russia.
Katasonov claimed that cryptoassets have been “not totally fledged” types of “cash,” however “relatively speculative instruments that may pose threats to the economic system.”
“[Talk about creating strategic crypto reserves] is method of inflating bubbles. If the bubble bursts, every little thing will probably be fantastic so long as the economic system holds up. However, regardless, there’ll nonetheless be many victims.”
Katasonov
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Economist: ‘Russian Crypto Advocates Are Fifth Columnists’
Katasonov hit out at crypto advocates who name for the “introduction of tokens” into “the official financial system.”
He referred to as them “fifth columnists,” and instructed they meant to “undermine the nation’s financial safety.”
The economist additionally solid doubt on different nations’ plans to launch strategic Bitcoin reserves.
He famous that “whereas some nations, reminiscent of the USA, are contemplating creating Bitcoin (BTC) reserves,” the method was “nonetheless removed from sensible implementation.”
Katasonov concluded that “no nation” on the planet has but “had a profitable expertise launching official crypto reserves.”
Some critics might level to the instance of El Salvador, whose authorities launched into a bullish program of Bitcoin shopping for in 2021.
Nonetheless, in current months, the query of El Salvador’s BTC-purchasing has come below the highlight of the Worldwide Financial Fund (IMF), which disaproves of the nation’s Bitcoin pivot.
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Central Financial institution Opposes BTC Stockpiling
Russia’s Central Financial institution has lately dominated out the concept of making a Moscow-based BTC strategic reserve.
The nation’s finance ministry has additionally mentioned that the state will proceed completely shopping for gold and Chinese language yuan in the meanwhile.
Nonetheless, the ministry this month claimed that ought to the Nationwide Welfare Fund’s stage of liquid funds ought to attain a stage equal to 7-10% of Russia’s GDP, Moscow might “take into account” shopping for “riskier” and “higher-volatility” belongings reminiscent of crypto.
Russia’s economic system hit 200 trillion rubles ($2.37T) in 2024, rising six occasions sooner than Europe, says Prime Minister Mishustin
4.1% GDP development in 2023
Disposable earnings up 8.5%
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— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) March 26, 2025
Regardless, Moscow seems more and more eager on crypto, with some outstanding lawmakers expressing a cautious curiosity in creating a Russian state-run BTC fund.
Some have claimed that failing to “reply” to Washington’s plans to create a BTC stockpile will enable the US to take the lead within the crypto sector.
In late December final yr, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov spoke to college college students who requested him about making a Russian crypto reserve.
Siluanov that the Treasury ought to settle for that purchasing lower-risk belongings would let Moscow “earn much less, however maintain its powder dry.”
The publish Russian Economist Calls Strategic Bitcoin Reserves a ‘Ticking Time Bomb’ appeared first on Cryptonews.
4.1% GDP development in 2023
Disposable earnings up 8.5%
File-low unemployment https://t.co/za0tpFpDFj pic.twitter.com/8lOueWk0tg