Russia Allows BTC, ETH, and USDT as Collateral, Limits Retail Access
Russia is set to introduce new regulations for cryptocurrencies on September 1, 2026. The rules will allow businesses to use Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (USDT) as collateral. However, retail investors will be limited in their access to these cryptos, with a yearly cap of 300,000 rubles.
The new regulations exclude most altcoins, including XRP, from general public trading due to concerns over liquidity and risk. Retail investors seeking access to more cryptos will need to undergo special testing before being allowed to trade them.
Businesses registered in a special registry will be able to conduct broader digital asset transactions under the new rules. This marks a shift towards treating crypto as financial infrastructure rather than speculative assets.