... early on Monday, Russia's central bank more than doubled interest rates to 20% from 9.5% in an effort to halt the collapse of the ruble, which has gone into freefall. The Bank of Russia also said on Sunday that it would resume buying gold in the domestic market as it tries to shore up its finances and find ways around sanctions on its activity.

"External conditions for the Russian economy have drastically changed," the Bank of Russia said in a statement. "The increase of the key rate will ensure a rise in deposit rates to levels needed to compensate for the increased depreciation and inflation risks. This is needed to support financial and price stability and protect the savings of citizens from depreciation."

While the idea is that higher interest rates increase the return to investors, luring foreign capital to the country and pushing up the exchange rate, it is unlikely that investors will flood back into the "safety" of the ruble as long as sanctions are ongoing.

Overnight, the Russian central bank also banned brokers from selling securities on behalf of non-residents, with an eye to halting the decline in domestic asset prices.