Yes and mostly (as in 99% by amount of crypto moved) it's their governments
For example Russia it is not legal to pay with crypto, and to cash it out allowed crypto exchanges must submit your transactions to the government etc otherwise they get blocked.
But the bandit state is free of course to use it to trade with its friends like NK (which basically runs its nuclear program on ransomwared crypto) or Hamas;)
Sorry, but it's very naive to think that Russian people use only "allowed" crypto exchanges and comply with the laws. That would be an impossible country to live in.
Direct connections with people and being street-smart are important kinds of skills in such societies. And even without connections, you can easily go to some popular Russian exchange aggregators and find no-KYC options with cash delivery, as far as I know.
EDIT: I've actually just checked for you: starting from 10,000 USDT, you can cash out anonymously with cash delivery for 1% in Moscow right at this moment from a publicly accessible resource with reviews.
I'm from Russia. People who get paid tether travel out to cash in anonymously. I know because I know them. Believe me you don't want to gamble on this
> That would be an impossible country to live in.
Really? I have no words. Not being able to use crypto and it's now an impossible country to live in? How about this, people just use cash. 99.9999% of people cashing in loads of tether are criminals or connected to the government or both. Who do you think is so rich they just casually throw around tens thousands tether? On average a good salary is like 1k at best
So are you saying that people get paid in tether after the sentence that it's used 99.9% by the government only?
They also affect businesses, not only the government.
> will be immediately sent to prison were I to return to Russia
If this is true you can apply to asylum but for most people who fear this it is not true. Uunless you are literally famous, a rich guy or journalist or inconvenient criminal you are fine. Putler is not a total idiot and keeps an image of normal. My friends support Ukraine and one just recently came abroad again third time since the war started just fine. (To cash in crypto anonymous)
Send proof if I'm wrong!
> cannot apply for asylum as I left Russia many years before the war, so I technically wasn't "prosecuted"
you CAN apply for asylum if there is evidence that you will be prosecuted if you return. Really bro. I think even gay/trans people for example used this. But for being pro Ukraine anti war I don't think there's evidence you would be prosecuted unless you are famous or something