Finally! Russia is going to make relationship with Bitcoin!!

In 2016, the Russian government was convinced bitcoin was a danger to its economy and a threat to its national security. One year later, Russia has established itself as a preeminent hub for bitcoin and other emerging cryptocurrencies, launching an audacious plan to grab almost one-third of the world’s bitcoin mining network from China.One thing is clear, however: change came from the top. Analysts say Russia’s sudden embrace began on June 3, 2017, when Russian President Vladimir Putin took part in the International Economic Forum in St. Petersburg.

It’s been a big year for cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin and Ethereum have seen exponential growth in value, and ICOs around the world have generated $2.6 billion in investment. It’s also been a year of regulatory scrutiny: governments in China, South Korea, the US, and most recently, Vietnam, have been introducing legislation to address the recent boom.

News reports suggest that cryptocurrencies are becoming more visible across the country. This past summer, cafes and restaurants in Moscow began accepting crypto payments. Computer stores throughout the country reported graphic and video card shortages, which crypto miners use to boost their rigs. According to local media, AMD Radeon cards were sold out nationwide in June, and even the remaining units of the Nvidia Geforce GTX 1060 were highly coveted. In August, Burger King rolled out a cryptocurrency in Russia: the Whoppercoin.