Hello! Our top story is the discussions about a cryptocurrency ban among Russian officials as the Central Bank comes out in support of tougher restrictions. We also look at market turbulence amid U.S.-Russia talks over Ukraine and rapidly rising coronavirus case numbers as the Omicron variant finally arrives in Russia . Russia mulls cryptocurrency ban Russia could impose tough restrictions on cryptocurrencies, according to a report published Thursday by the Central Bank.

The topic of release is why the Central Bank chooses the Chinese path of regulation of cryptocurrencies The news of the week was the devastating report of the Central Bank on cryptocurrencies, in which the regulator proposed to completely ban their mining and turnover in Russia. Whether the prohibitions will be accepted, it is not clear - other responsible departments take a more moderate position, and the ban on mining will surely encounter opposition to large business.

The resignation of the head of Credit Suisse was accelerated by empty private flights, on which he spent bank funds, reports The Wall Street Journal. The company's management learned about them during an internal investigation. Antonio Orta-Osorio worked in his position for less than a year - he was appointed head of the bank in April 2021, after which he moved to Zurich. From the Swiss city, the top manager flew several times to London and Lisbon for the weekend.

The average full cost of a mortgage at the end of 2021 rose to a new high of 13.2%, jumping by 4.4 percentage points, RIA Novosti reports , citing Equifax credit bureau. A similar level was recorded in 2014-2015. “The growth of TFR (full cost of the loan) on mortgages is associated with one single factor - an increase in the key rate by the regulator,” experts explained.

The daily increase in coronavirus cases in Russia amounted to 63,205 cases, follows from the data of the operational headquarters. This is a new high since the beginning of the pandemic. The incidence updated the anti-record for the third day in a row: on January 22, 57,212 cases were detected. The maximum daily increase was provided by Moscow (17,528 cases). In second place was St. Petersburg (9,535). The total number of cases in Russia increased to 11,108,191.

Moscow plans to achieve the coming to power in Kiev of a leader loyal to it, as it considers the possibility of "military invasion and occupation of Ukraine", the said British Foreign Office . The Russian Foreign Ministry urged British colleagues to "stop spreading nonsense." As a potential candidate, the Foreign Office named the former deputy of the Verkhovna Rada Yevgeny Muraev (now the leader of the Nashi party).