A new cryptocurrency token called A7A5, pegged to the Russian ruble and launched in February 2025, has facilitated cross-border payments circumventing Western sanctions on Russia. The token was created by Ilan Șor, a fugitive Moldovan oligarch, and Promsvyazbank, a Russian defense sector bank under sanctions. Operating primarily through a dedicated crypto exchange in Kyrgyzstan, A7A5 has moved approximately $9.3 billion in transactions within four months of its launch. The stablecoin runs on the Tron and Ethereum blockchains and is backed by ruble deposits held by Promsvyazbank. This development marks a notable attempt to bypass international financial restrictions imposed on Russia. Separately, Russian state-owned defense conglomerate Rostec announced plans to launch its own ruble-pegged stablecoin, RUBx, on the Tron blockchain. The RUBx initiative, valued at $38 billion, will be accompanied by a regulated payment platform called RT-Pay and aims to integrate traditional finance with decentralized elements. The rollout of RUBx is expected later in 2025, signaling Russia's expanding engagement with digital assets. Additionally, Ilan Șor has been added to Ukraine’s sanctions list, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signing the measure, due to his involvement in creating A7A5 to aid Russia in evading sanctions.