Navalny ally urges donors to use cryptocurrency due to crackdown

FILE PHOTO: Leonid Volkov, chief of staff of Navalny's team, speaks during a news conference in Berlin, Germany August 21, 2020. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch/File Photo

MOSCOW (Reuters) - An ally of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny told supporters on Wednesday to move to using cryptocurrencies to help fund their cause as a crackdown threatens to make donations illegal.

Russia has moved to ban Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation and regional groups as "extremist", dealing a blow to the network built up by President Vladimir Putin's most outspoken opponent. It is illegal to donate to "extremist" groups.