Russia is preparing to introduce its first comprehensive regulatory framework for Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies, a long-anticipated shift that would legally allow both retail and institutional investors to participate in the crypto market under defined rules. The proposal is expected to be finalised for a parliamentary vote by the end of June 2026 and, if approved, take effect on July 1, 2027, according to multiple reports.
Under the draft legislation, retail (non-qualified) investors would be permitted to buy and sell a limited set of what regulators consider the “most liquid” cryptocurrencies once the framework is fully in force. Retail participation would come with safeguards: an annual purchase cap of roughly 300,000 rubles (about US$3,900–US$4,000) and a requirement to pass a risk-awareness or knowledge test before trading on licensed platforms.
Qualified or professional investors, typically financial entities or individuals meeting higher regulatory standards, would be able to trade cryptocurrencies with far fewer restrictions, though privacy-focused tokens such as Monero and Zcash are expected to remain prohibited for most users due to anti-money-laundering (AML) and regulatory concerns.
The proposed framework represents a major departure from years of regulatory ambiguity in Russia, where crypto trading has largely operated in a legal grey area. According to lawmakers, formal rules governing crypto exchanges, brokerage services, custody, mining, issuance and enforcement measures will be part of the legislation, helping to bring digital assets into Russia’s regulated financial system.
In addition to domestic trading, the framework would allow Russian residents to purchase cryptocurrencies abroad and transfer them to domestic accounts, provided such activity is reported to tax authorities, another step toward aligning crypto activity with existing financial laws.
Despite the openness to regulated crypto trading, the legislation would reaffirm that cryptocurrencies cannot be used for domestic retail payments, maintaining the central bank’s longstanding stance that digital currencies are not legal tender.
If passed, the new regime would mark one of the most significant crypto policy shifts in Russia yet, signalling a calibrated mix of market access, investor protection and state supervision as the government seeks to integrate digital assets into its broader financial regulatory structure.
