They’re basically being forced to use Bitcoin to get around U.S. sanctions, and that’s part of why there’s growing demand for BTC.
But it's always good, at least they’ve realized something important: Bitcoin is an unstoppable global currency.
Hopefully, the U.S. also wakes up to the fact that they can’t just sanction anyone forever… because when that happens, Bitcoin steps in to save the day.
Russia has 14 neighbouring countries, they don't have to use Bitcoin to get around US sanctions. They receive lots of products from my country indirectly. For example, imagine that Russian person has to buy a sanctioned car, someone goes from here to Russia and then sells cars to them. It might be expensive but it's possible and that's how many earn money these days. Neighbouring countries buy things for Russia and then send them to Russia. Usually, those who have deep roots in Russia or relatives in Russia, do such things.
According to the report, Russia only uses bitcoin, ETH or USDT for major trade transactions such as oil and gas with close partners like China and India. They only use bitcoin as a substitute for transactions involving SWIFT, Visa and Mastercard systems...systems where USD is the main currency, they do not use bitcoin in all transactions.
Also, it should be noted that the use of bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies in international trade is still in its experimental stage. They have yet to officially recognize and consider BTC as the solution they will use long term. They are just testing, many people are mistaken about this.