I attempted to use Profee to send GBP to my girlfriend’s RUB account (Raiffeisen) but it doesn’t seem possible now as of 20 August 2025. My last transfer was on 4th August which went through successfully.
Morning Chris yes it seems to be on a temporary hold at the moment for any UK to Russia transfers. The option I have used instead of Profee anyway because of its speed and true market price is Crypto Transfer via Kraken and Bybit then onto the Russian account using the PTP market. Easier than you would think but means you need a Kraken account and your girlfriend a Bybit account.
Thank you for your reply, Phoebe.
I’ll read up about transferring via Kraken. I don’t have any experience with this method as yet.
Best wishes,
Chris.
I just wanted to leave an update here. I was able to send a transfer from UK to Russia via Profee. It seems Profee is working when sending to accounts of non sanctioned banks, for now at least. Sending to card is still unavailable.
Thanks Chris I can see it has become possible again since yesterday. Given the new risks using P2P and crypto it has become one of the few methods available. Unfortunately using the Profee method will cost you at least 11% given the fee and poor rate. I would advise everyone now not to use the Crypto and P2P market since the change of rules last month. I have personally been using this for three years to transfer to my wife’s Russian account but have found both VTB and Sberbank accounts blocked under the new rules. If you use the P2P market you are now gambling with your money in my opinion.
Unfortunately just had transfer from UK to Russia using Profee refunded after 2 days. It was destined for Raffaisen which I’ve transferred to many times in the past. Back to the only option but dangerous P2P bybit fiasco.
BUT. Someone online mentioned a problem in that some Russian banks aren’t happy receiving money from crypto people. I don’t know what is meant by that. Do they mean proper exchanges or do they mean individuals on p2p?
Has anyone heard of Russian banks not being happy receiving rubles from crypto sources? If so are there any solutions?
Thanks for any help
@Jerz Many thanks. Very interesting.
Do you have any idea if it’s still possible to legally send rubles to a Russian bank from a crypto trader on Bestchange? I have to pay child maintenance to Moscow so I have to find a route.
Thanks for any help
Have a friend in Crimea who was hit with the FZ 115 / 161 using bybit to get USDT [80k ruble worth] into her bank account. P2P transfers are risky now.
If you are using the website that you mention and you “send crypto”
and then have it go to a bank card in “rubles”
the transfer isn’t sending crypto to the bank card. It is loading rubles onto the bank card.
Crypto is not legal in Russia, so the money is actually “loaded” by someone onto the bank card.
The bank account would have a record of the send, and who sent it, someone you don’t even know.
I managed sending directly from Volet to my Mir card already many times.
Of course its easier to use Volet if you have access ( UK residents cannot use) and you are sending to a MIR card in your own name. Try sending to a Russian family member etc and its becoming impossible. Profee is dead and Crypto seriously risks the health of the Russian account holder with blocks in the last two months or so. Send Now waits in the wings as a last resort like a predatory vulture with its disgusting fees.
@JayRocket24 Hello, Jay. I am interested in transferring money from USA to my friend in Russia and would very much appreciate your help. However, I don’t have a telegram account. Is there any other way I could contact you - by e-mail, for instance? Thanks a lot.
Have a great day.
Anna
Hi,
I was using Profee until a few days ago when it was blocked. I now looked into Sendnow and saw they basically make you pay for crypto and then pay you out rubles. Is that safe or can it get your card blocked? Bybit is also blocked and as far as I understood risky.
Also does Volet still work? I don’t have a MIR card but it might be worth getting then. And the transfers go via Swapcoin, can that block your card?
@LMS yes because the algorythims are strong they will detect it.(volet and sendnow) What you need to do is use a cash point and load the rubles yourself into the atm or just use them day to day. A lot of people also get money via kazakstan but like with crypto p2p you have the same issues if needing to prove source of funds.
There are basically only 2 safe ways getting money in Russia
bring it with you across the border or use an OTC cash point where you send usdt and get in person rubles, but even this is tricky as most will not work with foreigners (though some will)
Russians themselves are getting more and more accounts blocked due to fraud/tax evasion risks so using any international banking seems a really bad move.
Simply put there are no longer any safe methods to transfer money, the P2P crypto route is now the only route which comes with huge risks to the Russian account holder.
@Jerz Do you have an example for a OTC cash point in Moscow? I’m having a difficult time to understand how it works
@LMS Crypto exchanger
Presnenskaya emb., 12
https://yandex.ru/maps/org/kripto_obmennik/226925547914?si=6gfwdwpdc9kcrf0p73h8w7aanc
Basically contact them before showing up - setup how much you want to exchange, they will give you the price - agree - then go there with a cold wallet and do the exchange.
Not an endorsement of this exchange - I have not used it personally, but as an example for the process
@Cal Many thanks and very sorry for my reply taking so long.
Are you saying that if I use Best… then the money gets loaded onto my Russ bank account in roubles.
Does the bank know the roubles came from crypto exchange. Will they block my account?
Thanks again
@NorseVictory Does it have to be a cold wallet? thanks