Russian companies have started using bitcoin and other digital currencies in Global Payments after legislative changes to allow the use of these currencies in response to Western sanctions, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Wednesday. This year, Russia allowed the use of cryptocurrencies in foreign trade and has taken steps to legalize the mining of cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin. Russia is one of the leading countries in the world of bitcoin mining. "Such transactions are already taking place. We believe that such transactions should be further expanded and developed. I believe this will happen next year," Siluanov said, adding that the use of digital currencies in Global Payments represents the future trend.