"Investments Only" To be fair, neither country has gone so far as to make Bitcoin legal tender. Even Putin doesn't want to make those sorts of headlines. In fact, each country has been careful to craft its message to focus on the investment side of things. "The use of digital currencies as a means of payment on the territory of the Russian Federation will continue to be prohibited," Russia's Ministry of Finance said just a few hours before troops hiked across the border into Ukraine. "Under the proposed regulation, digital currencies are considered solely as an investment vehicle." In Russia, speculators must pass a test. If they have the knowledge their keepers think they need, they can buy up to $7,700 worth of Bitcoin each year. If they fail, they can buy only $650 worth every 12 months. There's been no word on how much Putin or any of his rich cronies are allowed to buy (or take). We figure it's a much larger sum... especially now that they've lost access to their petrodollars. What's most interesting about these moves is what each country's keepers have said about the true value of crypto. Both governments point to the economic power of digital money. In Russia, it's all about mining the stuff. Putin, of course, is a big fan of crypto mining. A month ago, he slammed his fist at his central bank for shunning the idea. Now he's gone around it. He says that thanks to Russia's energy surplus (which just got a whole lot bigger) and its well-trained workers, the country has a "certain competitive advantage." Cheap energy, a cold climate (good for cooling computers) and a down-and-out workforce indeed make Russia an ideal place to mint the stuff. Ukraine, on the other hand, doesn't seem all that interested in controlling the market. It simply wants the money. By opening its doors to digital money, it hopes for the "speedy arrival of crypto investors from all over the world." Here at home, this sort of turnaround from our economic enemies is quite bullish. Set for a Boom It means, as we've long said, that any attempts by Washington to ban crypto are out the window. It won't push the stuff aside and watch our haters create a new form of money. It also means there will be increased demand for Bitcoin and its crypto brethren. Large markets that were once off-limits are now open again. The price of Bitcoin hasn't reacted all that much to the news. Other headlines are dominating the trade. That's fine. It's good, in fact. It means today's buyers are getting a discount. But once demand starts to rise and the market sees the effect of this wave of fresh buyers, the discount won't last. Wars can do crazy things to an economy. They tend to do even crazier things to its money. Even if you're not a crypto zealot, this is a story to watch. Big money - and the fate of money - is in play. Be well, Andy P.S. We have our eye on three cryptos that could soar because of what's happening. Before you think about buying Bitcoin... you must watch this short video. | 
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