Russia-Ukraine War Can Boost Global Crypto Adoption: BlackRock CEO

Varinder Singh
March 24, 2022
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Larry Fink, CEO of investment management firm BlackRock, said on Thursday about a possible boost in crypto adoption due to the Russia-Ukraine war, changing his crypto stance to positive. He says, the war has pushed foreign transactions’ settlement shift to crypto and digital currencies from banks and foreign-exchange settlement companies.

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BlackRock CEO Fink On War Accelerating Digital Currencies

BlackRock CEO Larry Fink believes digital currencies, such as bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, could be used as a tool to settle international transactions, as witnessed during the Russian-Ukraine war, Reuters reported on March 24.

The war will force countries to rethink their dependencies on fiat currencies and adopt crypto as an alternative, said Fink in a letter to BlackRock’s shareholders. With the increased client’s interest in digital currencies and stablecoins, BlackRock is also studying its usefulness and benefits.

Moreover, he believes a well-designed payment system based on digital currencies will improve the current system of international transactions’ settlement. He said:

“A global digital payment system, thoughtfully designed, can enhance the settlement of international transactions while reducing the risk of money laundering and corruption.”

In response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, BlackRock had suspended buying any Russian securities in its active index portfolios, preventing capital flow to Russia, and investments in Russia.

According to BlackRock, its total client exposure to Russia plunged from $18 billion to less than $1 billion amid the war, Western sanctions, and closure of the Russian stock market.

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Rising Crypto Adoption During the Russia-Ukraine War

The Russian-Ukraine conflict has led to global supply chain disruption, a rise in inflation pushing countries to tighten their monetary policies, and a rise in energy and oil prices. However, it accelerated crypto adoption as the prices of cryptocurrencies rose higher, with bitcoin moving above $43,500. Digital currencies such as Bitcoin are considered as an inflation hedge and a store of value.

The rising crypto adoption led to the settlement of foreign transactions in crypto as Russia used digital currencies to evade sanctions and Ukraine sought donations in crypto for military and humanitarian aid.

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Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
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Why Trust CoinGape

CoinGape has covered the cryptocurrency industry since 2017, aiming to provide informative insights Read more…to our readers. Our journal analysts bring years of experience in market analysis and blockchain technology to ensure factual accuracy and balanced reporting. By following our Editorial Policy, our writers verify every source, fact-check each story, rely on reputable sources, and attribute quotes and media correctly. We also follow a rigorous Review Methodology when evaluating exchanges and tools. From emerging blockchain projects and coin launches to industry events and technical developments, we cover all facets of the digital asset space with unwavering commitment to timely, relevant information.

About Author
About Author
Varinder has over 10 years of experience and is known as a seasoned leader for his involvement in the fintech sector. With over 5 years dedicated to blockchain, crypto, and Web3 developments, he has experienced two Bitcoin halving events making him key opinion leader in the space. At CoinGape Media, Varinder leads the editorial decisions, spearheading the news team to cover latest updates, markets trends and developments within the crypto industry. The company was recognized as Best Crypto Media Company 2024 for high impact and quality reporting. Being a Master of Technology degree holder, analytics thinker, technology enthusiast, Varinder has shared his knowledge of disruptive technologies in over 5000+ news, articles, and papers.
Investment disclaimer: The content reflects the author’s personal views and current market conditions. Please conduct your own research before investing in cryptocurrencies, as neither the author nor the publication is responsible for any financial losses.
Ad Disclosure: This site may feature sponsored content and affiliate links. All advertisements are clearly labeled, and ad partners have no influence over our editorial content.