Russia tackles ‘toxic’ dollar and euro

The Central Bank suggests firms should dump their dollars and euros in favor of “friendly” denominations

Russia’s central bank has called on manufacturers and non-financial services providers to convert their dollar and euro holdings to “friendly” currencies such as the Chinese yuan.

The proposal was put forward in a document for public discussion released by the regulator on Thursday, dedicated to developing key areas of the financial market under sanctions.

“The blocking of Russian assets by unfriendly countries, as well as operational restrictions on settlements in the world’s major reserve currencies, create risks for citizens and businesses when using the US dollar and the euro,” the Central Bank said.

Additional measures will be taken to reduce banking operations in these currencies, the regulator added.

READ MORE: Russia extends restrictions on foreign currency

In May, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov called the dollar and the euro “toxic currencies” for Russia, as their use was restricted in the country amid unprecedented Western sanctions. Instead, Moscow has chosen to switch to trade in rubles and the currencies of so-called “friendly” nations, which didn’t join the American, European and British sanctions against the country.

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