Russia is adopting a “tiered inclusion” regulatory strategy for USDC and other stablecoins. Under the approach described in the source, these stablecoins are placed on a list of legal trading assets, while at the same time they are subject to a special fee of up to 3%. The arrangement means that Russia is not simply allowing the use of USDC and similar assets without conditions; it is combining legal access with a cost-based control mechanism.
The special fee, capped at 3%, is presented as a form of risk pricing intended to strengthen oversight of these stablecoins. By treating USDC and similar assets as tradable while applying an added charge, the policy places permission and restriction within the same regulatory framework. This creates a graded structure rather than a fully open treatment of foreign-linked stablecoins.
The move is aimed at responding to tightening external sanctions pressure. It is also intended to guide funds toward the ruble or stablecoins pegged to currencies of friendly countries. Through this structure, Russia seeks to build an autonomous and controllable cross-border financial channel while keeping USDC and other stablecoins under a differentiated regulatory and fee regime.