Russia Establishes Crypto Regulation Framework
BITmarkets Team
Aug 10, 2026
The new law sets rules for a range of crypto market participants, including exchanges, brokers, custodians and other digital asset service providers. Crypto exchange operators will be required to meet regulatory standards and join a financial market self-regulatory organization.
Retail investors will be limited to purchasing approved crypto assets through licensed intermediaries, with an annual cap of 300,000 rubles, or about $3,700, per intermediary. Qualified investors, however, will be permitted to purchase any cryptocurrency without the same restrictions.
Bank of Russia to oversee the market
The Bank of Russia will supervise the regulated crypto market, issue implementing rules and determine which digital assets licensed intermediaries are allowed to offer. The law also keeps Russia’s existing prohibition on using cryptocurrencies to pay for goods and services within the country. Most of the legislation will take effect on Sept. 1, 2026. Some provisions, including rules covering non-resident digital depositories, will come into force later, on July 1, 2027.
New rules follow final parliamentary approval
The State Duma approved the legislation in its final readings in late July, clearing the way for presidential approval. The law represents one of Russia’s most significant steps toward bringing cryptocurrency activity into a regulated financial framework, while still maintaining restrictions on domestic crypto payments and giving the central bank broad authority over which assets and intermediaries can operate in the market.
Sources:
https://cointelegraph.com/news/putin-signs-crypto-law-core-rules-take-effect-2026
