Russia is reportedly deploying a new financial tool to bypass Western sanctions and entrench its presence in Africa: a cryptocurrency network known as A7. Co-owned by the sanctioned Russian defence bank Promsvyazbank and fugitive oligarch Ilan Șor, A7 uses a ruble-backed stablecoin and promissory notes to settle international trade without touching Western banking rails. A recent Financial Times report reveals that the network is aggressively expanding, with reported offices in Nigeria and Zimbabwe, and a new recruitment drive in Togo. While promotional materials claim A7 handles nearly 19% of Russia’s foreign trade, experts note its physical footprint remains elusive and highly secretive. ----- Russia Crypto Network A7 | Sanctions Bypass Russia | Promsvyazbank Crypto | Ilan Sor Involvement | Africa Crypto Expansion | Ruble Stablecoin Trade | Shadow Finance Network | Russia Africa Trade | Global Economic Impact | Firstpost Africa | Alyson Le Grange | Africa | Global South | Geopolitics | Military Coup | Environment | Climate Change | Firstpost | News Live | World News | Latest News | Global News | International News | News | Trending News #russia #crypto #sanctions #africa #a7network #geopolitics #firstpostafrica #africa #alysonlegrange #globalsouth #militarycoup #firstpost #newslive #worldnews #latestnews #globalnews #news #internationalnews #trendingnews Firstpost is an Indian news and media website. Get all the incisive opinions, in-depth analyses and other visual stories that matter to you and the world right here on this channel. Subscribe to Firstpost channel and press the bell icon to get notified when we go live. / @firstpost Follow Firstpost on Website: https://www.firstpost.com Follow Firstpost on Instagram: / firstpost Follow Firstpost on Facebook: / firstpostin Follow Firstpost on X: / firstpost Follow Firstpost on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029...