[Russian Lawmaker: Bitcoin Will Never Become a Legal Means of Payment] According to a report by Jinse Finance, Anatoly Aksakov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets, recently stated clearly to RIA Novosti that Bitcoin and Ethereum will never become legal means of payment in Russia. He emphasized: 'We must understand that cryptocurrencies will never become currency in Russia. Cryptocurrencies can only be used as investment tools. When payments are required, they must be made exclusively in rubles.' Although the Russian Central Bank has consistently opposed cryptocurrencies, the government seems to be shifting toward regulation rather than an outright ban. Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed approval of the growth of the cryptocurrency mining industry, and there are reports that Russian companies have used cryptocurrencies for cross-border trade worth billions of dollars.