Russia to Ban Facebook if US Blocks Libra Cryptocurrency

A Russian government official says the nation will ban Facebook if the US decides to block the company’s Libra cryptocurrency.

Putin Aide: Ask US About Libra

Speaking to reporters on Oct. 22, Dmitry Peskov, President Vladimir Putin’s special representative for IT confirmed his official position on Libra, as well as Telegram’s prospective cryptocurrency, Gram.

“If Libra launches without controls, or Gram, the likelihood of the scenario appearing in which we block (Facebook) significantly increases, not just in Russia but in every country,” he said.

According to Peskov, Russia would take its cue from the US regarding Libra, given Facebook’s heritage. 

There, the government has already spent several months quizzing executives including CEO Mark Zuckerberg about the digital currency’s likely implications. 

“But this… does not depend on the Russian government, but on the American one,” he continued, striking an ironic tone. 

“Therefore it would be apt to direct…