Russian Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said on Wednesday that Russian companies have begun using Bitcoin and other digital currencies in international payments after legislative adjustments allowed the use of these currencies in response to Western sanctions, Internet reported. This year, Russia allowed the use of cryptocurrencies in foreign trade and has taken steps to legalize cryptocurrency mining, including Bitcoin. Russia is one of the world's leading countries in Bitcoin mining. Siluanov said: "Such deals are already underway. We believe that such transactions should be further expanded and developed. I believe this will be the case next year." He also added that the use of digital currencies for international payments represents a future trend.