Russian payment network A7 launches USDT invoice settlement with SWIFT payout for foreign trade
A7 International lets businesses pay foreign invoices in USDT while recipients receive funds via standard SWIFT transfers at a fixed 0.3% fee.
Why it matters
The service provides a sanctioned Russian entity a mechanism to route crypto payments into the SWIFT system, potentially circumventing traditional banking restrictions. Its significance depends on adoption outside Russia and whether correspondent banks accept the SWIFT leg.
Where the sources disagree
US sanctions on A7 Network
US authorities sanctioned A7 Network over $17 billion in transactions
Crypto.News
No mention of sanctions in press release
Finbold, Brave New Coin, CryptoPotato, Finbold, The Daily Hodl, CryptoPotato, Bitcoin Insider
Crypto.News reports US sanctions over $17 billion in transactions; syndicated press releases from Chainwire and FinanceWire do not mention sanctions
Key facts
A7 International allows payment of foreign invoices in USDT with recipients receiving funds via SWIFT bank transfer
Reported by Finbold
The service charges a fixed transaction fee of 0.3 percent
0.3 %Reported by Finbold
A7 International is scheduled to be presented on October 13, 2026 at 13:13
Reported by Finbold
A7 serves approximately 15,000 clients
15,000 clientsReported by Finbold
A7 processes around 2,000 transactions daily
2,000 transactions per dayReported by Finbold
A7 operates across more than 100 countries
100 countriesReported by Finbold
In 2025, approximately 19 percent of Russian companies' cross-border trade settlements were processed through A7
19 %Reported by Finbold
What happened
Russian international settlement system A7, created by Bank PSB, announced A7 International on October 12 for presentation on October 13. The service enables customers to settle foreign counterparty invoices using USDT while recipients receive payment through conventional SWIFT bank transfers in the required currency. A fixed 0.3% transaction fee applies. The platform primarily targets foreign trade operators but is also available to individuals. A7 claims to serve 15,000 clients across more than 100 countries, processing roughly 2,000 transactions daily and approximately 19% of Russian companies' cross-border trade settlements in 2025. Crypto.News reported that US authorities recently sanctioned the A7 Network over allegations involving more than $17 billion in transactions linked to its payment infrastructure, a detail not mentioned in the syndicated press releases from Chainwire and FinanceWire.
How the story developed
- First report
First report by Finbold
A7 to Unveil a Service That Will Re-Invent the International Payments Market
- Update
A7 International service announced via press release
Chainwire and FinanceWire distribute announcement of A7 International service enabling USDT invoice payments with SWIFT settlement
- Independent corroboration
Independently corroborated by Crypto.News
Sanctioned Russian payment network A7 unveils new USDT service
- Update
Independent coverage notes US sanctions on A7
Crypto.News publishes independent report mentioning US sanctions on A7 Network over $17 billion in transactions
- Official statement
A7 International launch presentation scheduled
Petr Fradkov and Ilan Shor to present service on October 13 at 13:13
- Official statement
Follow-up press release expands on A7 International positioning
Second press release emphasizes remote access, compliance with local legislation, and export offering for foreign businesses
How coverage built up
Independent sources over time, counted the way the consensus panel counts them: a republication of a wire story does not move the line.
- 12 Oct 2026, 15:41 UTC: Finbold — 1 independent source, 1 reports
- 13 Oct 2026, 06:45 UTC: Crypto.News — 2 independent sources, 4 reports
- 13 Oct 2026, 20:19 UTC: Brave New Coin — 3 independent sources, 7 reports
Affected entities
Original sources
Related events
Kyrgyzstan shuts gold-backed stablecoin USDKG and orders issuer EVA liquidated
Kyrgyzstan has ordered USDKG, its gold-backed stablecoin, shut down and its issuer EVA plus state-owned Coin Nomad Exchange liquidated, citing Cabinet of Ministers Order No. 639-t.
Ukrainian Drone Strikes on Yandex Data Centers Disrupt Russian A7A5 Stablecoin Operations
Ukrainian drone attacks on Yandex data centers caused A7A5 stablecoin transactions to collapse from 600 daily to under 20, leaving users unable to redeem funds.
Israeli PM Netanyahu Calls For Blockchain Plan To Counter Potential Economic Sanctions
US Treasury sanctions Russia's A7 Network and proposes blocking sub-agent transfers
The US Treasury sanctioned A7 Network as a transnational criminal organization on October 1 and FinCEN proposed barring US financial institutions from transfers involving A7 sub-agents.
Russia puts crypto holdings at $44B, warns on losses from foreign stablecoin freezes
Deputy Finance Minister Ivan Chebeskov put resident crypto holdings at 3.7 trillion rubles, about $44 billion, and said investors bear losses if a foreign issuer freezes assets.
Moscow Exchange and Sberbank Prepare December 1 Crypto Trading Launch Under Russia's New Regulatory Framework
Russia's largest exchange and bank plan to launch regulated cryptocurrency trading on December 1, with retail investors facing a 300,000 ruble annual cap and restricted asset access.
