PANews December 25 news, Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Wednesday that Russian companies have begun to use Bitcoin and other digital currencies in international payments after legislative adjustments allowed the use of these currencies in response to Western sanctions. This year, Russia allowed the use of cryptocurrencies in foreign trade and has taken steps to legalize the mining of cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. Russia is one of the leading countries in Bitcoin mining in the world. "Such transactions are already taking place. We believe that such transactions should be further expanded and developed. I believe this will be the case next year," Siluanov said, adding that the use of digital currencies for international payments represents a future trend.