Russians Ask if Pensions Can Be Paid in Crypto as Adoption Rises

Inquiries about whether or not pensions may be paid in crypto have turn out to be one of the frequent non-standard requests obtained by the Social Fund of Russia, a state-run establishment chargeable for managing Russia’s public pension system.

In 2025, the Social Fund’s name middle dealt with roughly 37 million calls, the overwhelming majority associated to routine issues resembling pensions, advantages and maternity capital. Nevertheless, operators additionally more and more fielded questions on digital property, in accordance with a Saturday report from Rossiyskaya Gazeta (Russian Gazette), the official day by day newspaper of the Russian authorities.

Among the many most typical crypto-related inquiries had been whether or not Russian residents may obtain pension funds in cryptocurrency and whether or not earnings from crypto mining could be factored into the calculation of social advantages. The fund mentioned these questions appeared typically sufficient to face out from the general name quantity.

In response, operators mentioned all pensions and social funds are issued in rubles, and digital property fall outdoors the Social Fund’s remit. They added that issues associated to cryptocurrency earnings and taxation are dealt with by the Federal Tax Service of Russia, not by pension authorities.

Associated: International sanctions linked to file flows into illicit crypto addresses

Russia overtakes UK, Germany in crypto adoption

As Cointelegraph reported, Russia has emerged as Europe’s largest crypto market, outpacing international locations resembling the UK and Germany, in accordance with an October report from Chainalysis. The research revealed that Russia obtained $376.3 billion in cryptocurrency between July 2024 and June 2025, giving it a transparent lead over the UK, which recorded $273.2 billion throughout the identical interval.

The report attributed Russia’s rise to a pointy enhance in institutional exercise and broader use of decentralized finance. Giant crypto transfers above $10 million surged 86% 12 months over 12 months, practically double the expansion charge seen throughout the remainder of Europe. General crypto inflows into Russia rose 48% from the earlier 12 months, widening the hole with different main European economies.

Retail utilization and DeFi adoption additionally performed a key function. Russia recorded stronger development in each giant and small retail segments than the remainder of Europe, whereas DeFi exercise jumped eightfold in early 2025.

Associated: Telegram income jumps to $870M in H1 2025; $2B full-year goal: FT

Russia proposes crypto entry for retail buyers

Final month, the Financial institution of Russia proposed a coverage change that will enable non-qualified buyers to purchase sure cryptocurrencies underneath strict situations.