“Effective May 1, Russia will ban the export of gold bars weighing more than 100 grams. According to the Russian Deputy Prime Minister, this measure is part of a broader crackdown on the shadow economy. The Deputy Finance Minister noted that gold is increasingly being used as a substitute for foreign exchange in illicit transactions, thereby fueling capital flight and money-laundering activities. Analysts predict that, with the policy set to take effect on May 1, a wave of gold sales could occur in the run-up to that date. Russia is the world's second-largest gold producer.”