Can We Get Paid in Crypto? Russians Bombard Social Fund with Digital Currency Questions

TLDR:

• Russia’s Social Fund processed 37 million requests in 2025 with cryptocurrency pension queries emerging as top unusual appeal. 
• Operators explained all pension payments must be made in rubles while digital asset taxation falls under Federal Tax Service. 
• One caller set record with 1,000 annual calls introducing himself as different historical figures each time contacting hotline. 
• Contact center staff received 77,000 verbal thanks in 2024 despite handling unconventional requests beyond standard welfare queries. 

Russians flooded the Social Fund’s contact center with cryptocurrency-related pension questions in 2025, making digital asset inquiries one of the most popular non-standard appeals. 

Out of approximately 37 million total requests processed by the unified hotline, operators fielded an unusual surge of calls about receiving pensions in cryptocurrency and declaring mining income. 

The phenomenon highlights growing public interest in digital currencies despite regulatory restrictions on such payments in the country’s social welfare system.

Cryptocurrency Pension Questions Surge Among Russian Citizens

The Social Fund’s Telegram channel disclosed that many callers specifically asked whether pension payments could be issued in cryptocurrency. Russians also questioned if their mining income would affect social benefit calculations.

“Experts politely explained that all payments from the SFR are made exclusively in rubles, and the taxation of digital assets is within the competence of the Federal Tax Service,” the foundation stated.

The separation of responsibilities between government agencies left some callers seeking additional guidance on cryptocurrency matters. 

Digital asset taxation remains outside the Social Fund’s jurisdiction, requiring citizens to contact the Federal Tax Service separately. 

This regulatory division reflected the complex landscape surrounding cryptocurrency recognition in Russia’s administrative structure.

The volume of cryptocurrency-related inquiries stood out among other non-standard appeals received throughout the year. 

While the Social Fund handles traditional welfare questions daily, the persistent interest in crypto payments demonstrated evolving financial expectations among pensioners. 

Operators noted the questions came from diverse age groups and geographic locations across Russia.

Hotline Staff Navigate Unusual Requests Beyond Crypto Questions

Beyond digital currency matters, the contact center documented approximately 100 calls from people identifying as Santa Claus and the Snow Maiden. 

These holiday-themed callers typically requested information about additional January payments as festive gifts. 

The appeals clustered around the New Year period when Russians traditionally celebrate with special bonuses.

“The absolute record holder was one citizen who made about 1,000 calls during the year, each time introducing himself as a new well-known character,” the foundation revealed. 

Other unusual requests included assistance finding a forgotten musician’s name used as a password and inquiries about pension bonuses for spouses with difficult temperaments. One pensioner even asked the fund to provide him with a cat.

“Operators also recorded isolated appeals related to quadrobers, anime and demons,” the foundation added. 

Despite handling these extraordinary situations, operators maintained professional service standards that earned widespread public recognition. 

Citizens expressed 77,000 verbal thanks directly during conversations in 2024 alone, reflecting satisfaction with how staff managed both routine benefit questions and unexpected cryptocurrency payment inquiries.