Valentin Katasonov, a leading Russian economist and Chairman of the S. F. Sharapov Russian Economic Society, has cautioned against developing a national strategic Bitcoin reserve.

Katasonov described such a move as 'laying landmines,' suggesting it would pose significant risks to Russia's economic stability.

He argued that cryptocurrencies are speculative tools, not fully-fledged money. He warned that they could lead to inflationary bubbles that may eventually burst, affecting the economy and creating numerous casualties.

Katasonov also expressed concern over crypto advocates pushing for the inclusion of digital assets in Russia's official economic system. He labelled these individuals as 'fifth columnists,' accusing them of attempting to undermine the country's financial security.

Despite the growing interest in digital currencies, Katasonov pointed out that no country has successfully launched a crypto reserve to date. He referenced scepticism about the feasibility of Bitcoin reserves, even in countries like the US.

While Russia's Central Bank has ruled out the idea of a Bitcoin reserve, the country's finance ministry has shown some openness. Despite this, the ministry continues to focus on gold and the Chinese yuan for the time being.