Russians Question Possibility of Receiving Pensions in Cryptocurrencies

Information on Pension Payments in Cryptocurrencies

Inquiries regarding the possibility of pension payments in cryptocurrencies have increasingly flooded the Russian Social Fund's hotline. This trend indicates that digital assets are becoming a part of the financial concerns of citizens. In 2025, the hotline handled approximately 37 million calls, mainly addressing ordinary issues such as pensions and social benefits. However, operators reported a notable rise in queries about digital assets.

Among the most common questions were whether Russian citizens could receive pension payments in cryptocurrencies and if income from cryptocurrency mining would be considered in the calculation of social benefits. The Fund stated that these questions had emerged frequently enough to distinguish themselves from the general volume of calls. In response, operators confirmed that all pensions and social payments are issued in rubles, and digital assets do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Social Fund. They added that issues related to cryptocurrency income and taxation are managed by the Federal Tax Service of Russia, not by pension authorities.

Increase in Cryptocurrency Usage in Russia

According to a recent report, Russia has become the largest cryptocurrency market in Europe, surpassing countries like the United Kingdom and Germany. Between July 2024 and June 2025, Russia received $376.3 billion in cryptocurrencies, marking a significant advance over the United Kingdom, which recorded $273.2 billion in the same period. This increase has been attributed to institutional activity and the broader usage of decentralized finance. Cryptocurrency usage has risen by 48% compared to the previous year, widening the gap with other major European economies.