Putin Signs Russia's New Crypto Law: Regulated Trading Starts in 2026

Russia's President Vladimir Putin signed the country's new cryptocurrency law on August 4, paving the way for regulated crypto trading in Russia. The law allows retail investors to trade cryptocurrencies through approved intermediaries starting from September 1, 2026.

However, there are some restrictions. Retail investors will face an annual purchase cap of 300,000 rubles per intermediary, and they can only buy assets that regulators classify as the most liquid cryptocurrencies. Qualified investors, on the other hand, will have broader access to the crypto market after completing mandatory suitability tests.

The law also sets rules for exchanges, requiring them to register with a special government registry and maintain at least 15 million rubles in equity. Existing providers will be allowed to operate without registration until July 1, 2027.