Vladimir Putin said that he doesn’t think crypto can replace the U.S. dollar in settling oil trades yet, though he does believe it has value.
- The Russian president had been asked whether he thought bitcoin or other crypto could be used as an alternative to the dollar in the context of U.S-imposed dollar-denominated economic sanctions.
- Putin told CNBC on Wednesday that it’s too early to talk about using crypto in the trading of energy sources.
- “I think it’s too early to say about the oil trade in cryptocurrency,” Putin said, though adding that he does believe crypto has value and may exist as a means of payment.
- Putin however did stress that Russia would “have no other choice but to move transaction in other currencies,” should the U.S. continue to the use the dollar as a sanction instrument.
- “This dollar is a competitive advantage. It is a universal reserve currency, and the United States today uses it to pursue political goals, and they harm their strategic and economic interests as a result.”
Read more: Fearing Being Cut Off From SWIFT, Russia Hints About Blockchain Alternative: Report
