TL;DR
- Moscow plans to legalize retail crypto access with strict regulations by mid-2026.
- The framework includes investment limits, authorized assets, and licensed intermediaries.
- Full adoption of enforcement measures is targeted for 2027.
Finance Minister Anton Siluanov states that Russia now prepares to allow non-qualified investors to buy cryptocurrencies within a regulated perimeter. The Ministry of Finance (Minfin) and the Bank of Russia (CBR) coordinate a framework that sets exposure caps, defines eligible assets, and tightens oversight to reduce risk while organizing market access. In remarks aired on Rossiya-24 and echoed by local media, Siluanov underscores that regulators permit participation but curb transaction size to maintain prudence.
The CBR has outlined a comprehensive legislative concept with admission criteria for high-liquidity assets. Authorities acknowledge that households and companies already use crypto for payments and transfers. The Minfin links that reality to sanctions that have limited traditional channels for cross-border settlement, pushing cryptocurrencies and stablecoins into a practical role for commerce.
Policy signals remain two-track. Officials open the door under prudential controls and close legal gaps exploited by unregistered providers. Siluanov notes that supervisors have agreed a roadmap to define what is permitted, who can participate, and under which conditions, with licensed financial intermediaries expected to play a central role.
Regulation, limits, and the legislative calendar
The plan introduces quantitative limits for retail investors, lists of eligible cryptoassets, and fitness requirements for intermediaries. The Bank of Russia has submitted proposals to the government, with parliamentary approval targeted by July 1, 2026. In parallel, penal and administrative reforms would criminalize the illegal provision of crypto services, with full adoption of enforcement measures expected by 2027.
The framework also recognizes cryptocurrencies and stablecoins as “currency assets” and routes exchange activity through authorized infrastructure. The CBR continues to test pilot regimes used in foreign-trade use cases, enabling tightly monitored transactions with clear compliance parameters.
In market practice, retail access does not equal unlimited risk. Supervisors aim to protect savers in a volatile segment. Position limits, suitability checks, segregated custody, and enhanced reporting sit at the core of the rule set. The framework also prioritizes price transparency, anti-money-laundering controls, and on-chain traceability.
For Russian users, the package brings legal access to liquid assets, more predictable transaction costs, and formal rails for international payments. For the industry, it opens a regulated pathway for exchanges, brokers, and custodians, anchored in capital standards, governance, and operational security.
