Putin Signs Crypto Law with Strict Rules for Russia's Digital Economy
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed Russia's first crypto law, creating a formal framework for digital currencies and digital rights. The legislation sets rules for exchanges, digital depositories, and market participants, requiring exchange providers to hold minimum equity of 15 million rubles (about $187,339).
The new law limits retail investors who are not classified as qualified to purchasing the most liquid cryptocurrencies through licensed intermediaries, capped at 300,000 rubles (about $3,700) per intermediary each year. Qualified investors face no such cap and can buy any cryptocurrency, though both groups must pass a suitability test first.
The law's core provisions take effect September 1, 2026, but the technical rules covering digital financial assets will not apply until September 1, 2027. Existing exchange operators have until March 1, 2027, to bring their operations into compliance with the new regulations.