A7A5 Stablecoin Tops $110 Billion in Transactions, Wallets Rise to 29,000 Despite EU Sanctions

According to CertiK, the Russian ruble-backed A7A5 stablecoin has processed more than $110 billion in cumulative onchain transactions as of May 2026. Holder count grew from 13,000 wallets in February 2025 to 29,000 wallets in May 2026, capturing approximately 43% of the global non-US dollar stablecoin market.

The EU's 19th sanctions package, adopted on October 23, 2025, prohibited A7A5 transactions from November 12 onward. However, CertiK noted the token's reserve structure—held largely in Central Asian banking networks and Russia's banking system—places assets beyond direct Western enforcement reach. Smart contract freeze controls are managed by Russian and Kyrgyz developers, limiting Western regulators' ability to disable the token through conventional channels.