Retail Cap at 300,000 Rubles
Russia's digital asset law kicked in on September 1, 2026, making regulated cryptocurrency trading legal across the country. Under the new rules, retail investors get an annual ceiling of 300,000 rubles, or about $3,700, for buying cryptocurrencies through a single licensed intermediary. Professional investors do not face this cap.
Central Bank Oversight and Licensing
The Bank of Russia will oversee licensed crypto intermediaries. Exchanges, brokers, and custodians have to register as licensed intermediaries and join a financial market self-regulatory organization before they can legally serve clients. And the central bank will decide which digital assets those licensed intermediaries are allowed to offer.
Payment Ban and International Trade Exemption
The ban on using digital assets to pay for goods and services inside Russia is still in place. But companies involved in foreign economic activities can now use cryptocurrencies for international trade payments. A new option, basically, for Russian businesses active in global trade.
Compliance Timeline
The full licensing and compliance rules are expected to take effect by July 1, 2027. By that point, Russia's crypto regulatory framework will be broader.