TransferWise?
Ask HN: How do I pay our Russian devs?
11–20 of 22 posts
Re: Ask HN: How do I pay our Russian devs?
#12You don't.
This is my take as well. They then put pressure on their government to take steps that would reverse this.
Not an ideal situation for anyone.
Re: Ask HN: How do I pay our Russian devs?
#13You don't. This is part of war. You move them out of Russia or your fire them.
Re: Ask HN: How do I pay our Russian devs?
#14Bitcoin, Monero?
Re: Ask HN: How do I pay our Russian devs?
#15Earlier quoted context omitted.
Can a US company legally buy and transfer crypto?
Yes, but KYC, which is this case likely makes the transfer illegal.
So use Monero then. From the exchange's wallet -> your personal software wallet -> hardware wallet.
Then use the HW wallet to send coins to Russians, making sure they do something similar (moving the Monero around to a few wallets) on their end to try and cover some tracks.
Should be sufficient.
Re: Ask HN: How do I pay our Russian devs?
#16As of now, it appears to be illegal for US businesses to transact with any resident (does not matter if they are peaceful or pro-Ukraine) of any of the annexed or separatist-claimed territories in Ukraine, so you might want to check that ASAP. If Russia is disconnected from Swift but is still legal to do business with, you could find a way that does not involve Swift. If Russia as a whole falls under the same restric…
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Re: Ask HN: How do I pay our Russian devs?
#17Earlier quoted context omitted.
Yes, but KYC, which is this case likely makes the transfer illegal.
So use Monero then. From the exchange's wallet -> your personal software wallet -> hardware wallet. Then use the HW wallet to send coins to Russians, making sure they do something similar (moving the Monero around to a few wallets) on their end to try and cover some tracks. Should be sufficient.
This is everything that's wrong with crypto; it only even attempts to solve the technical problem and ignores or worsens the legal, social and political issues.
Re: Ask HN: How do I pay our Russian devs?
#18At the moment there's no technical or legal problem, as far as I know.
Later it will depend on the nature of any new sanctions. If they create a practical problem (e.g. Russia dropped from SWIFT) then crypto may provide a workaround. If they create a legal ban on dealing with Russia then I'm afraid you will have to sever all links with your Russian contractors.
But as others have pointed out you want to seek legal advice because breaching international sanctions, especially against Russia at the moment, is a serious criminal offense.
Maybe also a good idea to talk to your bank about what it their position on customers making transfers to Russia.
Re: Ask HN: How do I pay our Russian devs?
#19Russia is still on SWIFT (as of today) and still legal to do business with for the most part. Check with your lawyer, but unless your contractors are sanctioned entities or contracting through one, I would think you pay them however you've been paying them. Whether it might be prudent and ethical to start moving your business elsewhere is another question.
EDIT: If their Russian banks being sanctioned is the problem, I suppose you might have to use crypto. This is likely to draw attention and I would really be consulting your lawyer at that point. I realize that just firing everybody overnight may not be a practical solution if there is any other resort.
Re: Ask HN: How do I pay our Russian devs?
#20As of now, it appears to be illegal for US businesses to transact with any resident (does not matter if they are peaceful or pro-Ukraine) of any of the annexed or separatist-claimed territories in Ukraine, so you might want to check that ASAP. If Russia is disconnected from Swift but is still legal to do business with, you could find a way that does not involve Swift. If Russia as a whole falls under the same restric…
Upwork also currently writes that they stopped working with people in affected areas, even though the Executive Order does not seem to be that wide (it lists particular banks, not all of them, as well as specific organizations and individuals). I suspect that they may be erring on the side of caution and stopping everything first while they do the ultimately correct thing (consulting their lawyers).
These developments affect me personally, but I can understand the intent. In fact, I would understand the potential blocking of Russia more so than restricting people in occupied areas, who may well be victims for the most part. (Luckily, though, I don't have a family to support, unlike some others.)