Putin's advisor says Bitcoin is a virus, making his anti-Bitcoin stance clear

Author: GTong

The Russian government has always been opposed to virtual currencies. Recently, a presidential adviser publicly called Bitcoin an Internet game and a virus, and called for the early enactment of a law to ban Bitcoin. These actions further demonstrate the government's position.

Russian presidential adviser German Klimenko told a local news agency online that virtual currencies are not just a virus that directly attacks our brains but a completely fictitious thing that is banned in many parts of the world.

Although Bitcoin is not legal tender in Russia, there are no clear laws restricting its use. Despite signs of a law in 2015, the Russian Ministry of Finance said new regulations would be introduced later this year to ban all Bitcoin currency activities, with penalties of up to seven years in prison.

Russia isn’t the only country that has taken a hostile stance against Bitcoin, with Vanbex saying Bolivia, Ecuador, Iceland, Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam are among the countries seeking bans to varying degrees.

JPM compiled from

Finextra, Putin Adviser Calls Bitcoin a Virus.