Chinese Banks Reject Russian Payments, Boosting Use of Crypto

Chinese regional banks, once vital for processing Russian payments, are now rejecting these transactions due to concerns about secondary sanctions.

This has led to the rise of alternative methods such as cryptocurrency and barter to maintain trade between Russia and China.

The smooth flow of Russian-Chinese trade is now disrupted as Chinese regional banks halt yuan-based transactions from Russia. This change, reported by Izvestiya, follows a pattern of banks pulling back due to fears of being hit by secondary sanctions. Ekaterina Kizevich from Atvira confirmed her bank notified her of a payment suspension in July.

Russian firms are exploring options like using Russian bank branches in China, though this can increase costs by up to 5%. Barter trading is also being considered, though it’s not feasible for all goods.

Cryptocurrency is emerging as a key solution, with stablecoins being used by Russian metal producers for transactions with Chinese suppliers since June. As new laws regulating crypto payments come into effect, their use in bypassing traditional financial systems and potential sanctions may become more prevalent.