The Russian Ministry of Finance has revealed some details of the upcoming bill to regulate cryptocurrencies which the ministry has been preparing in collaboration with the central bank. The ministry is considering restricting cryptocurrency mining and penalizing crypto payments as well as prohibiting token sales on the secondary market.
Restricting Mining
The clock is ticking for the finance ministry to submit its proposal for the regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies in Russia. President Vladimir Putin wanted the proposal finalized in December to be implemented by July of next year.
“We are now preparing the bill, we have an order to submit it in December, of course, we will fulfil this task,” Deputy Finance Minister Alexei Moiseev told Tass on Wednesday. “We are actively working together with the central bank and the State Duma Committee on Financial markets, the concept is already generally agreed upon,” he added.
According to RT, the finance ministry has proposed penalties for cryptocurrency mining activities. Moiseev was quoted saying:
"The penalties will be different, mostly administrative, but if someone creates cryptocurrencies for the purpose of settlements, then there will be a criminal punishment."
In addition, he said: “Criminal penalties can also be applied to the creation of a financial pyramid or the issuance of a cryptocurrency to avoid tax.” The ministry earlier suggested introducing mandatory registration of cryptocurrency miners and only to allow legal entities and individual entrepreneurs to participate, news.Bitcoin.com reported in October.
The trading and mining of cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin, is not regulated by Russian laws presently. However, Putin has ordered the government to create legislation for cryptocurrencies, including determining their status and creating a legal framework for both crypto mining and initial coin offerings (ICOs).
More:
https://news.bitcoin.com/russian-regulators-law-crypto-mining-payments-token-sales/