Russia’s Central Bank is implementing new regulations restricting Tether (USDT) trading within the country, citing concerns over sanctions risks. While stablecoins can be utilized for international settlements, domestic use of USDT may be impacted by these restrictions. The new rules will limit crypto trade to coins not associated with sanctioned countries and those that face potential issuer blockage risks. Experts predict a likely restriction on USDT usage in Russia due to its relationship with USD-pegged stablecoins but allow their use for cross-border payments. These regulations are part of a broader effort by the Central Bank to oversee cryptocurrency trading through a crypto sandbox program aimed at promoting international trade using crypto assets, while also highlighting the challenges faced by stablecoin providers operating within a regulatory landscape that aims to ensure compliance with sanctions and AML/KYC standards.