Russia uses crypto channels in Africa to bypass sanctions
Russian President Vladimir Putin (photo: Getty Images)
Russia is expanding tools to bypass sanctions by moving part of its international payments into crypto payment channels through African countries, the Center for Countering Disinformation reports.
What is known about the A7 platform
According to sources, Moscow is promoting the A7 platform in Nigeria and Zimbabwe as an alternative mechanism for external payments.
This involves settlements through stablecoins and debt instruments. They are harder to track and block compared to traditional transactions.
Links to sanctioned structures
A7 is linked to the sanctioned Russian Promsvyazbank and Moldovan politician Ilan Shor, who is associated with Russia.
The platform may be used not only for more convenient payments, but also to bypass sanctions and move part of financial operations out of control.
Why Africa
After being disconnected from SWIFT and the tightening of United States sanctions, Russia is systematically looking for ways to reduce dependence on banks and financial routes under Western control.
Africa has become one of the key directions due to the rapid growth of crypto payments, demand for cheap international transfers, and weaker regulation of cross-border financial operations.
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a ceasefire in Iran and the unblocking of the Strait of Hormuz are critical for Ukraine, as they will deprive Russia of excess profits from oil.
He also emphasized that there are no grounds for easing sanctions against Russia.
Meanwhile, Hungarian Minister Peter Szijjártó promised Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to provide documents regarding Ukraine's accession to the European Union. The media also disclosed a secret agreement between Hungary and Russia — a 12-point plan for closer ties signed back in December 2025.
