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TOKEN2049 Drops Sanctioned A7A5 From Sponsor List After Media Inquiry

Organizers removed the rouble-pegged token from event listings after questions about exposure to Western sanctions.

A7A5, a cryptocurrency pegged to the Russian rouble which has been targeted by U.S. and UK sanctions, has a booth at the TOKEN2049 crypto conference, in Singapore, October 2, 2025. REUTERS/Rae Wee
A7A5, a cryptocurrency pegged to the Russian rouble which has been targeted by U.S. and UK sanctions, has a booth at the TOKEN2049 crypto conference, in Singapore, October 2, 2025. REUTERS/Rae Wee

Overview

  • A7A5 had a booth, platinum-sponsor billing, and an on-stage appearance by executive Oleg Ogienko before references were scrubbed from the conference website.
  • Blockchain firm Elliptic estimates about $70.8 billion in A7A5 has traded since January, with daily transactions doubling over the past month.
  • Lawyers told Reuters the U.S. lacks jurisdiction if no U.S. persons are involved, and neither Singapore nor Hong Kong has announced related sanctions.
  • The U.S. and Britain sanctioned several companies tied to Kyrgyzstan-based A7A5 in August, calling the rouble-pegged token part of a sanctions-evasion network.
  • Ogienko confirmed the Singapore operation is part of the sanctioned group, denied wrongdoing, and said the token is used for cross-border payments by Russian firms and partners.