Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law that permits the use of cryptocurrencies in foreign trade transactions. The law applies to transactions between companies resident in Russia and foreign parties.
Under the new regulations, cryptocurrencies can be used in transactions involving crypto assets that were obtained through mining activities. Additionally, the law allows for the use of cryptocurrencies to purchase digital rights, other cryptocurrencies, or securities.
Domestic restrictions and advertising
While international trade is permitted, the ban on using cryptocurrencies for the payment of goods and services within Russia remains in effect. Furthermore, the law prohibits advertising or information activities regarding the ability to pay for goods or services using cryptocurrency.
Investor limits and banking oversight
The legislation establishes different rules for domestic investors. In contrast, qualified investors in Russia are permitted to trade all cryptocurrencies without an amount limit.
Banking institutions, including branches of foreign banks, are authorized to refuse money transfers if they suspect that transactions are being conducted by an unauthorized cryptocurrency institution.
Updates
The new legislation establishes a comprehensive framework regulating the issuance, mining, and exchange of digital assets, with most provisions set to take effect on September 1. Under the law, only organizations in a special state register may operate exchanges, which are required to maintain at least 15 million rubles in capital, while existing operators may continue without registration until July 1, 2027. Additionally, transactions exceeding 3.5 million rubles per month will now be classified as regular exchange activity, and the law provides judicial protection for owners regardless of whether their assets were previously declared.
The new legislation establishes a comprehensive framework regulating the issuance, mining, and storage of digital assets, with most provisions set to take effect on September 1. Under the law, cryptocurrency exchanges must be listed in a special state register and maintain at least 15 million rubles ($187,000) in capital, though existing operators may continue without registration until July 1, 2027. Additionally, transactions exceeding 3.5 million rubles per month will now be classified as regular exchange activity, while the law provides judicial protection for owners' rights regardless of prior asset declarations.
The new law, most of which takes effect on September 1, places the sector under Central Bank supervision and requires both qualified and retail investors to pass a mandatory knowledge test for trading. To be eligible for exchange trading, cryptocurrencies must maintain an average capitalization exceeding 5 trillion rubles and a daily volume of at least 1 trillion rubles over the last two years, criteria which currently apply to Bitcoin, Ether, and USDT. Additionally, while the general domestic ban remains, the legislation permits the payment of fees within digital asset platforms as an exception.
The new law establishes a comprehensive framework regulating the issuance, mining, and exchange of digital assets under Central Bank supervision, primarily taking effect on September 1. Key provisions include a requirement for exchanges to maintain at least 15 million rubles ($187,000) in capital, the restriction of exchange trading to cryptocurrencies with an average capitalization exceeding 5 trillion rubles, and the mandate for both retail and qualified investors to pass a knowledge test. Additionally, while the domestic payment ban remains, the law allows for fee payments within digital asset platforms and guarantees judicial protection for owners regardless of prior declarations.
The new legislation, which most provisions of which take effect on September 1, establishes a comprehensive framework regulating the issuance, mining, and exchange of digital assets under the strict supervision of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. To be eligible for exchange trading, cryptocurrencies must maintain an average capitalization of over 5 trillion rubles and an average daily volume of at least 1 trillion rubles over the last two years, criteria which currently Bitcoin, Ether, and USDT meet. Additionally, while the domestic ban remains, the law permits an exception for paying fees within digital asset platforms, and both qualified and retail investors must now pass a boat
Most provisions of the new law will take effect on September 1, placing the sector under the strict supervision of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation. Under these regulations, only cryptocurrencies with an average capitalization exceeding 5 trillion rubles and a daily volume of at least 1 trillion rubles over the last two years will be eligible for exchange trading, a criteria currently met by Bitcoin, Ether, and USDT. Additionally, while domestic payments remain largely restricted, the legislation allows for an exception to permit the payment of fees within digital asset platforms.
The new law, which takes effect on September 1, establishes a comprehensive legal framework under the supervision of the Central Bank and mandates that both qualified and retail investors pass a knowledge test. Under these regulations, only cryptocurrencies with an average capitalization exceeding 5 trillion rubles ($61.5 billion) and a daily volume of at least 1 trillion rubles are eligible for exchange trading, with Bitcoin, Ether, and USDT currently meeting these criteria. Furthermore, while domestic payments remain restricted, the law allows an exception for paying fees within digital asset platforms, and retail investors face an annual purchase cap of 300,000 rubles.
The law, signed by Putin and set to take effect on September 1, establishes Russia’s first comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, permitting trading only through Central Bank-approved intermediaries, requiring exchanges to hold at least 15 million rubles in capital, and restricting eligible assets to those with over $61.5 billion market cap and $12.3 billion monthly volume—currently Bitcoin, Ether, and USDT; it also mandates knowledge tests for all investors, caps retail purchases at 300,000 rubles annually, and allows fee payments on platforms as the sole exception to the domestic payment ban, while aligning with the launch of the digital ruble and replacing the sanctioned
President Vladimir Putin has signed bill No. 1194918-8, establishing a comprehensive legal framework for digital assets that takes effect on September 1, 2026. Under these new regulations, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation will strictly supervise the sector, permitting exchange trading only for cryptocurrencies meeting specific high-liquidity thresholds, such as Bitcoin, Ether, and USDT. While the law mandates a knowledge test for all investors and sets a 300,000-ruble annual purchase cap for retail participants, it explicitly allows fee payments within digital platforms as a limited exception to the general domestic ban on crypto transactions.
