In brief: cross-border payments have traditionally been tied to banks, currency controls, and settlement timelines. Companies wait days for funds to arrive, compile piles of documents, and keep extra working capital on hand in case of delays. Cryptocurrency offers an alternative rail: transfers run 24/7, fees are predictable, and the counterparty receives funds almost instantly. Below—how it works, what’s changing in regulation, and which tools companies choose.
- Why cryptocurrency is useful in international trade
- Legal framework in Russia: experimental regime
- Popular assets and tools in foreign trade
- How the payment process works: a step-by-step logic
- Liquidity and the “last mile”
- What businesses feel in the first month
- Risks and how to manage them
- How to get started
- Takeaways
Why cryptocurrency is useful in international trade
Cryptocurrency is a digital asset on a blockchain. Transfers between wallets do not require correspondent accounts, and confirmations are recorded in an open ledger. In cross-border activity, this helps remove time constraints (24/7 operation), make fees predictable, and speed up settlements. In practice, crypto is used as follows:
- Settlements for imports. The importer and exporter agree in advance on the asset, network, wallet addresses, and payment schedule. Stablecoins (e.g., USDT) are often chosen to minimize price swings; contract terms are fixed as of the transfer date.
- Payments when fiat rails are restricted. Crypto payments allow deals to close where traditional channels are unavailable or too slow.
- Liquidity storage. Part of working capital is kept in stablecoins to close contracts quickly without banking pauses.
- Digital infrastructure. Smart escrow, tokenized documents, and logistics trackers increase transparency and control.
The key condition is legal soundness. Without a proper contract, compliance, and clear procedures, even the fastest transfer becomes a risk.
Legal framework in Russia: experimental regime
Regulation defines how businesses can use cryptocurrency in foreign trade. For a long time, digital assets were not recognized as a means of payment, and settlements were limited to internal pilots. In 2024, an experimental legal regime was launched allowing the use of cryptocurrency for international settlements—an answer to external constraints and business demand.
The aim is to provide companies with an official, well-understood instrument where traditional channels are unavailable. Participating banks are testing models where the ruble payment is processed domestically, while the crypto leg settles abroad. In effect, a crypto–fiat gateway is being formed, combining traditional settlement mechanisms with digital assets. This preserves speed, transparency, and control and gradually embeds crypto payments into the foreign-trade infrastructure.
Popular assets and tools in foreign trade
In international commerce, companies pick instruments that combine stability, liquidity, and convenient conversion:
- USDT. The baseline instrument for cross-border settlements: USD peg reduces volatility, transactions clear in minutes. Especially common in deals with China and other routes where speed and fee predictability are critical.
- A7A5. A bridge between crypto and fiat. Its liquidity is supported on specialized platforms (e.g., Grinex), where the asset trades in robust pairs with USDT and the ruble.
- RUB Grinex. A platform-native asset that simplifies on/off-ramps. Via the P2P section, you can quickly buy USDT for rubles, exchange crypto, or withdraw to a card.
Modern venues follow AML policies and work with verified partners. For businesses, that means a reliable fiat gateway and operations within a controlled perimeter.
How the payment process works: a step-by-step logic
To keep settlements manageable and legally sound, companies establish a clear flow:
- Compliance and counterparty checks. Data collection, sanctions screening, wallet address verification.
- Choice of network and asset. Comparing fees, liquidity, and confirmation speed.
- Contract parameters. Wallet addresses, payment schedule, rate fixation, chosen network.
- Security setup. Hardware wallets, multisig, limits, and access segregation.
- Test transaction. A small transfer for validation; then move to operational volumes.
This structure removes chaos and delivers a predictable outcome at each stage.
Liquidity and the “last mile”
Liquidity and off-ramping are critical for companies engaged in foreign trade. Not everyone is ready to interact with external wallets directly: risks increase and accounting gets more complex. That’s why businesses often choose exchanges with mature infrastructure, a P2P segment, and fiat gateways.
Grinex for Business combines crypto flexibility with familiar banking tools: access to liquid markets, fast cross-border settlements without lengthy bank approvals, and predictable conversion. This is especially valuable where bank fees and timelines for international transfers are unpredictable.
A major strength is convenient funding/withdrawal mechanics: you can buy USDT in Moscow, sell USDT for rubles, and buy or sell USDT for dollars without intermediaries and delays. The platform focuses on security and compliance: advanced AML services, KYC procedures, and wallet screening reduce the risk of tainted funds, keeping operations lawful and transparent. 24/7 support and adaptive fees raise service quality—crucial for large transactions and international operations.
What businesses feel in the first month
- Speed. Cross-border transfers clear in minutes, not days; holidays and weekends don’t pause settlements.
- Predictable costs. Fees are transparent, and transaction history is preserved on-chain.
- Control and geographic independence. Clear reconciliation and a unified digital channel for suppliers and buyers in different jurisdictions.
Risks and how to manage them
- Legal restrictions. Each country regulates crypto differently. Ensure the chosen setup doesn’t violate currency laws or sanctions regimes.
- Volatility. Sharp BTC/ETH moves can affect the final contract value. Stablecoins pegged to USD or EUR are typically used for stability.
- Security. Key management and access control require special attention. Hardware wallets, multisig, and internal access policies minimize loss risks.
- Liquidity. Before accepting crypto, decide where and how you will legally convert it to fiat. Choose an off-ramp partner before the deal starts.
Systematic control of these factors makes crypto settlements comparable in reliability to traditional payment solutions.
How to get started
First, define the objective: accelerate delivery, reduce banking dependence, streamline document flow—or all of the above. Then build the base process:
- prepare legal documents describing the digital asset and network;
- assign owners for compliance and key custody;
- sеlect an exchange and providers with transparent licensing;
- run a pilot deal with a small amount;
- scale up after a successful cycle.
Platforms like Grinex help cover ruble funding and withdrawals through familiar banking rails, simplifying pilots and subsequent scaling.
Takeaways
Cryptocurrency in foreign trade is no longer an experiment—it’s a working tool that complements traditional payment systems where legacy channels are slow or restricted. An exchange with a strong P2P segment, such as Grinex, covers both the technical and fiat sides, turning cross-border settlements into a transparent and controlled process.
Modern platforms solve practical tasks—how to accept a payment from abroad, pay for imports with crypto, or exchange USDT to USD without delays and intermediaries. With a reliable fiat gateway, businesses accelerate international transfers, reduce fee unpredictability, and optimize settlements for imports and exports. Companies already adopting these solutions get less bureaucracy and more speed and control—the new standard of business practice in a world that values transparency and agility.