Vladimir Putin to Herman Gref about blockchain: yes, cutting-edge technologies are good

President of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Putin, has once again reiterated his support for the new technologies, including the blockchain. This happened at the joint meeting with Herman Gref who is the leader of the vast state-backed Sberbank in which the large number of Russians keeps savings.

Herman Gref was one of the first Russian high-ranking influential bankers openly endorsing blockchain technologies and artificial intelligence-based solutions. He didn’t miss a chance to remind about the need for careful regulation of blockchain technologies in order not to become technologically underdeveloped in comparison to other countries. Vladimir Putin, while not mentioning blockchain, has completely agreed with this thesis, adding that those who were late in implementation of new technologies would become dependent of those were not.

This is not the first time the Russian President is talking about blockchain and/or cryptocurrency. Last year, his directives to the Central Bank and the FinMin gave impetus for cryptocurrency legislation development. The latter is planned to be implemented this summer. Vladimir Putin has also met Vitalik Buterin once. Mr. Buterin created Ethereum, the second most expensive cryptocurrency in the world.