​More than half of Russians called cryptocurrencies unsafe for investment

What’s new? More than half of Russian citizens consider cryptocurrencies a dangerous and risky tool for investment, Lenta.ru reports, citing data from a study by the Regional Public Center for Internet Technologies (ROCIT). It also showed that 85% of Russians are familiar with bitcoin, but only 5% have used the cryptocurrency for investment purposes or as a means of payment. The results were presented at the annual digital security forum, Cyber Security Day.

Material on the Lenta.ru website

Details of the study. According to Alexey Goreslavsky, chairman of the board of ROCIT, the need to circumvent anti-Russian sanctions has led to an increase in the popularity of cryptocurrencies. Thus, according to the Bank of Russia, the average amount of crypto investment in Russia in 2022 was 17 500 Russian rubles (RUB). And by early March, according to Rosfinmonitoring, cryptocurrency turnover in Russia exceeded 630 000 BTC (1 trillion RUB at the time).

At the same time, the country maintains one of the most favorable conditions for mining in the world. The regulators’ stance on digital assets also continues to change toward gradual legalization, Goreslavsky noted.

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ROCIT also paid attention to the issues of the digital ruble in the study. According to the survey, 54% of Russians are aware of this asset and 15% are willing to use it. Among the main concerns, respondents noted insufficient security measures and the presence of additional control by the state.

According to Anton Gorelkin, deputy chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communications, the survey demonstrated the high involvement of Russians in the cryptocurrency industry, and its results will change the authorities’ attitude towards creating a comfortable environment for the development of blockchain technologies.

Earlier it became known that the Federal Taxation Service began to check the cryptocurrency income of Russians. Requests are received by individuals who made transactions in 2021-2022 and filed 3-PIT returns.

In March, the Ministry of Finance proposed to oblige miners to declare income. The draft law provides for a maximum penalty of four years in prison. Also, the Ministry of Finance supported the tax rate for miners in the amount of 7-20%.