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I've just had to install several different VPNs until I've found one that offers a Russian endpoint, in order to get account statements from Russian banks. Whic

I've just had to install several different VPNs until I've found one that offers a Russian endpoint, in order to get account statements from Russian banks. Which I need to comply with IRS regulation to disclose my foreign accounts as a part of U.S. yearly tax report. Not all banks are affected, only the most popular ones, it seems (e.g. VTB, Open). All of them, including the "unavailable" ones, still have USD and EUR transfer options open to use, not sure if they are SWIFT-based or using something else now. I don't know what's going on, perhaps DDoS from Anonymous or an overreaction from the banks themselves, but I'm pretty sure Putin hasn't even noticed this unavailability. Are they sure they know what they're doing?

select-all 5y ago
Unfortunately (for me), "USD and EUR transfer options open to use" does not equal "you can send or receive USD or EUR to your account in a Russian bank". In the past week I myself and many people I know were not able to receive a USD wire from US to their accounts in different Russian banks, none of which are even in the list of sanctioned entities (Tinkoff and Avangard banks are the most common example). In all these cases the transfer was declined by a US bank, probably due to compliance considerations. Sending USD or EUR outside doesn't work either, and in some cases you cannot even exchange the remaining USD on your account to RUB. The options are indeed available in the bank's web or mobile application, but clicking 'Send' just gives you a 'something went wrong' error and that's it. It is true that Putin might be not noticing any inconvenience, just as most employees of state-owned companies (who happen to be the core Putin supporters), but people who rely on international payments for living (who happen to be the least loyal to Putin part of the population) are being severely hit by the sanctions and have spent the last week in the state of permanent panic trying to figure out what are the remaining options they have and how they'll pay their expenses in a month from now.
- exdsq 5y ago
  Can you use a stablecoin like USDC?
  - select-all 5y ago
    Yes, that's what we ended up with. It required a lot of hassle on the side of the sender because it wasn't clear what tax and liability risks this involves for a US company to send a crypto payment. But it worked and I really appreciate they were willing to help me. Not sure if a lot of companies are willing to go great lengths to get their Russian employees paid in this situation... Also, got bless crypto currencies! It would be not that easy to shut down P2P withdrawals until the internet is working at all. I have to admit, I was a big crypto sceptic right until the moment it became the only way to get paid. Now I'm a believer!
    - exdsq 5y ago
      I had a similar moment :) If you have a good on/off-ramp it's quicker, cheaper, and just as easy for international payments that go through different banking systems. I wish all the hype around speculative trading of NFTs and 'Web3' would die for a while so we can finish building the actually awesome parts like financial accessibility.

select-all 5y ago

Unfortunately (for me), "USD and EUR transfer options open to use" does not equal "you can send or receive USD or EUR to your account in a Russian bank". In the past week I myself and many people I know were not able to receive a USD wire from US to their accounts in different Russian banks, none of which are even in the list of sanctioned entities (Tinkoff and Avangard banks are the most common example). In all these cases the transfer was declined by a US bank, probably due to compliance considerations. Sending USD or EUR outside doesn't work either, and in some cases you cannot even exchange the remaining USD on your account to RUB. The options are indeed available in the bank's web or mobile application, but clicking 'Send' just gives you a 'something went wrong' error and that's it. It is true that Putin might be not noticing any inconvenience, just as most employees of state-owned companies (who happen to be the core Putin supporters), but people who rely on international payments for living (who happen to be the least loyal to Putin part of the population) are being severely hit by the sanctions and have spent the last week in the state of permanent panic trying to figure out what are the remaining options they have and how they'll pay their expenses in a month from now.

exdsq 5y ago
Can you use a stablecoin like USDC?
- select-all 5y ago
  Yes, that's what we ended up with. It required a lot of hassle on the side of the sender because it wasn't clear what tax and liability risks this involves for a US company to send a crypto payment. But it worked and I really appreciate they were willing to help me. Not sure if a lot of companies are willing to go great lengths to get their Russian employees paid in this situation... Also, got bless crypto currencies! It would be not that easy to shut down P2P withdrawals until the internet is working at all. I have to admit, I was a big crypto sceptic right until the moment it became the only way to get paid. Now I'm a believer!
  - exdsq 5y ago
    I had a similar moment :) If you have a good on/off-ramp it's quicker, cheaper, and just as easy for international payments that go through different banking systems. I wish all the hype around speculative trading of NFTs and 'Web3' would die for a while so we can finish building the actually awesome parts like financial accessibility.