A new cryptocurrency token named A7A5, launched in February 2025, has moved approximately $9.3 billion in just four months. The stablecoin is pegged to the Russian ruble and was created by a fugitive Moldovan oligarch, Ilan Șor, in partnership with Promsvyazbank, a Russian defense sector bank under sanctions. A7A5 operates on the Tron and Ethereum blockchains and is based in Kyrgyzstan, outside the reach of Western sanctions. It facilitates cross-border payments, enabling Russia to circumvent international sanctions. Separately, Russian state-owned conglomerate Rostec is planning to launch its own ruble-pegged stablecoin called RUBx on the Tron blockchain. This initiative, valued at $38 billion, will include a regulated payment platform named RT-Pay and is expected to roll out later this year. Rostec’s move represents a significant step in integrating Russia’s sovereign currency with decentralized digital assets. Additionally, there is mention of growing support in Moscow for a cryptocurrency called Vladcoin, though details remain limited.