Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a comprehensive digital asset law, creating a regulated route for retail and qualified investors to trade cryptocurrencies through approved intermediaries. The law, which takes effect on September 1, 2026, covers crypto exchanges, digital depositories, brokers, and other entities. Non-qualified investors will be permitted to buy only the most liquid cryptocurrencies, with a purchase limit of 300,000 rubles per year, while qualified investors can purchase and sell any cryptocurrency without limits.
Regulatory Framework
The law requires crypto exchange providers to join a special registry, maintain at least 15 million rubles in equity, and become members of a financial market self-regulatory organization. Existing crypto exchange providers may operate without registration until July 1, 2027. The Bank of Russia has started drafting regulations to operate the market, including proposals for organized trading, pricing methods, and digital depositories.
International Implications
The legislation allows for the use of cryptocurrencies in cross-border payments without transaction amount limits, but this is subject to U.S. compliance considerations, as U.S. sanctions apply to virtual currency transactions involving blocked Russian parties.
