Putin Signs Russia's Comprehensive Crypto Regulations into Law

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed into law a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets. The law, which establishes Russia's first set of regulations for cryptocurrency transactions, will take effect on September 1, 2026.

The legislation legalizes key crypto transactions such as investment and trading, while banning direct crypto payments. It imposes rules for investors and market participants, including platforms and traditional financial institutions that will be permitted to work with digital assets.

Russian banks will be authorized to block any crypto-related transaction, and a 48-hour 'cooling-off' rule will apply to transfers between cryptocurrency wallets and from them to fiat accounts. The law allows only the largest cryptocurrencies by market capitalization to freely circulate through exchanges active in Russia's regulated market.