Internal records reviewed by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists and Russian outlet Proekt indicate that A7 processed at least 283 metric tons of cash rubles, worth more than $14 billion, from November 2024 through July 2025. The investigation says brokers collected cash at Moscow wholesale markets, including Sadovod, before it was counted by A7 and transferred to Promsvyazbank, a co-owner of the payments firm. Records reviewed by reporters showed many resulting payments routed through companies outside Russia, with much of the market-payment traffic destined for China. The article reports that the U.S. Treasury sanctioned A7 on October 1, 2026. A7 has rejected allegations of wrongdoing and said it screens clients for regulatory risks.

Why it matters

  • Cash-based intake can make it difficult for banks and authorities to establish the origin of funds.
  • The reported payment routes raise AML and sanctions-screening challenges for cross-border intermediaries.