>>512592124
currency is faith based
you give it value by believing it has value

the same for bitcoin
if no one believes in bitcoin it will be worthless

Bartering is best, and there used to be markets, like swap meets, flea markets etc.
where you could trade, your goods or services to others in exchange for goods or services that they had to offer.

In a market where there are many different things it makes it easy to trade.

you have 50 carrots fresh from your garden, you can trade them with others, and each of you get all the ingredients to go home and make a stew.

modern barter outside of a market setting is difficult. finding someone who has what you want, who wants what you have is not easy.

In the market you can trade what you have with a 3rd party, who has something that the other person wants, so you can make the trade for what he wants and then trade for what you want.

As for Russia, they are the only country in the world that defeated communism (jews). Russia isn't entirely free, but they are a lot better off than many places.