The head of the Investigative Committee demanded that identification of cryptocurrency owners be made mandatory – Bits Media

Chairman of the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation Alexander Bastrykin spoke out against the anonymity of cryptocurrency transactions and called on the government to adopt a law on mandatory identification of holders of any digital money.

The head of the RF IC made it clear, what confidentiality of transactions and the lack of a separate legal status for crypto exchanges carries high risks.

“In connection with the adoption in July 2020 Year of the federal law on digital financial assets and digital currency, there may be an additional opportunity to use this currency for criminal purposes, in particular for the financing of terrorism and extremism, —
Alexander Bastrykin made a statement. “The circulation of digital currency requires further legal regulation - first of all, mandatory identification of users is necessary.”.

The head of the RF IC admits, that the General Prosecutor's Office has created effective legal documents, regulating the confiscation of digital assets, but still “the status of online platforms has not been determined, where cryptocurrency is sold anonymously".

At the end 2021 Alexander Bastrykin announced that, that the concept of cryptocurrencies should be enshrined in the Criminal Code, to simplify the work of investigators. The absence of this norm complicates the qualification of criminal actions and prevents the seizure of digital assets. Bastrykin believes, that cryptocurrency must be recognized as property. This will especially help in business, where cryptocurrencies appear as a bribe. Several months ago information appeared, that the Central Bank of the Russian Federation will monitor transactions of individuals to combat unlicensed crypto exchangers. State Duma in 2022 year and is going to consider a bill on a complete ban on cryptocurrencies in Russia.