Key Insights:
- Sanctions due to the Ukrainian war have pushed Russian businesses to integrate Crypto payment gateways for cross-border transactions.
- Russia prohibits the domestic use of digital assets. However, the country is bringing a new law that will permit crypto transactions in trade settlements.
- Most crypto payment gateways serving Russia are based in Eastern Europe or Central Asia. They extensively use ruble-pegged stablecoins in their workflow.
Russia has faced a massive wave of sanctions since the Crimea annexation. The 2022 war in Ukraine further emboldened the spree. Due to the restrictions, Russian companies can’t use the traditional SWIFT system. They now heavily rely on crypto payment gateways for borderless transactions.
Digital assets are still forbidden for domestic use. Only the national currency, the Ruble (RUB), is the legal tender in the country. However, the new law, which comes into force on July 1, 2026, will legalize the use of crypto and stablecoins for trade settlements. The Bank of Russia would monitor this initiative.
This decision helps Russian export/import businesses bypass sanctions. Most companies accept crypto payments to avoid limitations. As a result, cross-border settlements via cryptocurrencies are actively increasing.
Several gateways and payment solutions now support Russian businesses in international trade. Major names include OxaPay, Paymento, ForumPay, A7/A7A5, and B-Crypto with Rosbank.
Crypto Payment Gateway Options Available for Russian Businesses
OxaPay
OxaPay is a relatively inexpensive crypto payment gateway. The platform supports Bitcoin, Ethereum, BNB, TON, USDC, and USDT on TRC20, ERC20, and BEP20 networks. The minimum fee for merchants is 0.4%. OxaPay does not charge businesses for the initial integration process.
The gateway provides API integration, invoices, pay links, POS, static wallets, and white-label solutions. It also offers automated withdrawals and automatic conversions, with other payment services.
OxaPay provides plugins for WooCommerce and other e-commerce stores. The Russian-language version of the website makes the platform popular among Russian- and Eastern European-speaking merchants.
The solution allows businesses to accept crypto payments without additional complexities. The presence of international payout support makes the gateway valuable for companies serving global customers.
OxaPay is registered in Panama. Despite the positive user experience of most businesses, some online reviews mention issues with withdrawals and support service. The platform is popular among freelancers, startups, and Telegram-oriented businesses.
Paymento
Paymento is a non-custodial crypto payment platform. This means the platform doesn’t hold funds; payments go directly to the merchant’s wallet. The payment gateway minimizes the custody risk and supports thousands of cryptocurrencies across multiple blockchains.
Paymento stands out with its very low commissions and minimal KYC for basic use of services. The low KYC standard makes it ideal for Russian businesses looking to minimize compliance risks.
It is relatively new in the space and offers fewer fiat-currency settlement options than custodial payment gateways. Mazyar Torkpour and Hadi Robati co-founded the platform in 2023. Torkpour is currently serving as the CEO of the company.
For Russian businesses, Paymento reduces reliance on centralized entities that may face sanctions restrictions or operational blocks.
ForumPay
ForumPay is an international crypto-to-fiat payment gateway. It supports more than a hundred different cryptocurrencies and provides instant fiat settlement. Crypto-to-fiat conversion protects businesses using the platform from price fluctuations.
It helps merchants to accept payments online, in a mobile app, and offline. ForumPay also supports wallet-agnostic payments and offers plugins for WooCommerce and Shopify.
The platform’s primary focus is security. Compliance is another major issue the company pays attention to. Thus, the company uses Chainalysis’s blockchain analysis together and works with partners specializing in KYC and AML.
While implementing compliance policies, ForumPay considers sanctions on high-risk jurisdictions. The company follows OFAC and EU sanctions frameworks.
Such steps help the company stay relevant from a legal point of view. That makes the platform less favorable for businesses with direct Russian connections. However, it allows foreign consumers to pay in Russian Rubles.
A7 and A7A5
A7 LLC is a Russia-linked cross-border payments company operating with the help of Promsvyazbank (PSB). In January 2025, A7 LLC launched its own ruble-pegged stablecoin A7A5. Old Vector LLC, a Kyrgyzstan-incorporated company, issued the token.
A7A5 maintains a one-to-one peg with the Russian rubles. All transactions are denominated in rubles.
According to the data, the platform has processed more than $100 billion. Large sums were transformed into USDT using platforms like Grinex.
A7A5 helps export/import businesses solve problems of delayed settlement. Rubles are kept onshore while cryptocurrencies are transferred offshore to pay suppliers. In addition to stablecoin, the platform also offers various liquidity and bridging services.
Despite concerns about sanctions, A7 LLC continues to expand globally. The company promotes A7A5 as an alternative tool for settling transactions in non-dollar currencies.
B-Crypto and Rosbank
Rosbank and B-Crypto provide crypto-to-fiat conversion services in cross-border transactions. The program was launched in 2023. It allows importers and exporters to use rubles in transactions carried out in Russia. Suppliers out of the country can receive crypto payments.
The system relies on the infrastructures located in jurisdictions such as the UAE and Hong Kong. Rosbank provides banking services while B-Crypto manages crypto conversion and sends them overseas. This approach allows Russian businesses under sanctions to perform settlements legally.
However, Rosbank is a sanctioned entity itself. That poses a potential risk for foreign business partners.
The program is included in the experimental initiative of the Bank of Russia. That supports crypto-based foreign trade through experimental legal frameworks.
Regulatory Environment Regarding Crypto Payment
As of mid-2026, Russia allows crypto use only for international trade under the supervision of the Bank of Russia. Domestic crypto payments remain prohibited except in limited experimental programs.
Only selected licensed venues can participate in approved crypto settlement activities. Reporting requirements apply to transactions exceeding 600,000 rubles. Rosfinmonitoring oversees anti-money laundering compliance and transaction monitoring.
The framework was developed largely in response to international sanctions. Trade settlements increasingly involve partners in countries such as China, Turkey, and India.
At the same time, Western authorities continue targeting Russia-linked crypto networks, exchanges, and stablecoins used for sanctions evasion. Platforms such as ForumPay and Paymento generally maintain stronger compliance positions but may restrict Russian participation.
OxaPay offers broader accessibility but requires operational due diligence. A7A5 and B-Crypto/Rosbank provide specialized Russia-focused solutions but carry greater sanctions exposure.
Key Considerations Before Choosing a Crypto Payment Gateway
Russian businesses have several crypto payment platforms to use in cross-border operations. OxaPay is cost-effective and easy to integrate. Paymento supports self-custody and provides decentralized control over funds.
ForumPay offers services of a compliance-centric crypto-to-fiat conversion platform. Meanwhile, A7A5 and B-Crypto/Rosbank are aimed mainly at large cross-border transactions under sanctions.
Businesses should carefully evaluate sanctions risks, platform reliability, and changing regulations. Small-scale testing is recommended before handling larger transaction volumes.
Companies should also conduct thorough due diligence and seek legal advice when necessary. Transaction monitoring, wallet screening, and compliance with Bank of Russia requirements remain essential.
