Rouble-Backed Token A7A5 Sponsors Top Crypto Conference Despite Sanctions

Rouble-Backed Token A7A5 Sponsors Top Crypto Conference Despite Sanctions

A Kyrgyzstan-based stablecoin called A7A5, pegged to the Russian rouble and targeted by U.S. and U.K. sanctions, made headlines by being a platinum sponsor of the TOKEN2049 conference in Singapore. 

Despite its controversial status, A7A5 had a booth, signage, and even a stage appearance by its regulatory director, Oleg Ogienko. When media scrutiny intensified, the conference removed references to A7A5 and Ogienko from its materials. 

Since its launch in January 2025, A7A5 has seen explosive growth—reportedly processing over $70.8 billion in transfers, up from $40 billion just months ago. 

The token is used in cross-border transactions by companies in Russia, especially operating in Asia, Africa, and Latin America, according to Ogienko’s defense. 

This incident highlights a key challenge for Western powers: enforcing sanctions in the crypto space, especially when projects operate outside their jurisdiction. It also underscores how conferences and visibility can be used strategically by tokens with opaque regulatory standing.