The Bear Market Russian Crypto Traders on the Decline, Confirms Central Bank

Reports Indicate Decrease in Russian Crypto Traders, Central Bank Confirms
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Ah, Russia, the land of vodka, bears, and now, a drop in crypto trading. According to the Central Bank of Russia, it seems that the number of Russian citizens trading crypto has taken a bit of a dip. They’re staying away from those fancy overseas platforms, opting for a different kind of adventure.

It seems that in the second and third quarters of 2023, Russian crypto activity declined, leaving the bank scratching its head. They noticed a significant decrease in Russian visits to the world’s largest crypto trading platforms. It’s like they all took a detour to explore some other financial opportunities. Talk about wanderlust!

But that’s not all. The bank also noticed a drop in the volume of Russian-owned crypto flowing through exchanges. It’s as if the Russian traders decided to take their crypto bags and hop on a different train, one that’s not centralized, if you catch my drift.

Instead of cozying up with centralized exchanges (CEXs), Russians have now turned to the P2P and OTC markets. It’s like they stumbled upon a hidden treasure chest filled with gold coins and said, “Screw the CEXs, we’ll do it our way!”

In fact, a crypto security provider claims that every day in Russia, about $296 million worth of P2P crypto trades are made available. P2P transactions have become the main channel for Russians to acquire their beloved cryptoassets. It’s a bit like a P2P marketplace where people swap their virtual goods instead of soccer cards or rare stamps.

The bank even calculated the average monthly volume of Russian P2P crypto transactions, and let me tell you, it has increased by a whopping 53.9% compared to the same period last year. It’s like a rocket ship soaring through the sky, defying gravity and expectations.

But wait, there’s more! The bank claims that Russian credit institutions are getting better at identifying transactions related to P2P crypto trading. It’s as if they finally found their Sherlock Holmes cap and magnifying glass. “Aha! We’ve caught you, sneaky P2P traders!”

Now, you might be wondering why these Russian traders are ditching the centralized exchanges. Well, my friend, it has something to do with those pesky international sanctions. Many major international crypto exchanges have barred Russian traders due to the influence of the US and EU. But fear not, for the Russians have found a way around it.

Reports suggest that these clever individuals are using loopholes to evade sanctions and continue using overseas CEXs. They’re cunningly maneuvering their way through the restrictions, like a stealthy spy slipping through laser beams in an action movie.

Even Binance, the giant in the crypto world, decided to bid farewell to Mother Russia. They announced their complete withdrawal from Russia, selling their business to CommEX. It’s like a love story gone sour, with Binance saying, “It’s not you, Russia, it’s me.”

But beware, my dear countrymen, the bank warns that these “alternative” CEXs might be risky. They’re like those shady back-alleys where you’re offered a deal that seems too good to be true. Platforms that specifically target Russians are the ones to watch out for. It’s like stepping into a trap disguised as a chocolate cake. Delicious, but deadly.

However, the bank also believes that the decline in crypto trading may not be solely due to sanctions. They think it’s more of a global decline in investor interest. It’s like the whole world woke up one day and decided that crypto just isn’t their cup of tea anymore. Isn’t that a twist?

So, my fellow digital asset enthusiasts, it seems that Russia’s crypto traders are taking a different path, away from the traditional CEXs and towards the enticing realms of P2P and OTC markets. Will this new adventure lead them to prosperity or pitfalls? Only time will tell. Until then, keep riding the crypto roller coaster and enjoy the thrill!

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