Russia Introduces 300,000 Ruble Cap on Retail Crypto Purchases
Russia is introducing new rules to regulate retail crypto investment, capping purchases at 300,000 rubles per year for non-qualified investors. The Central Bank of Russia has proposed a framework that would restrict retail investors' holdings but allow regulated transactions for select cryptocurrencies.
The initial list of eligible assets includes Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether's USDT, chosen based on factors such as market capitalization, trading volume, and price history data from foreign markets. The selection process favors assets with more liquidity and trading history, excluding smaller or newer tokens.
Qualified investors would have wider access to cryptocurrencies without the proposed retail purchase limit, but all investors must undergo a crypto risk test before making transactions.
The Bank of Russia is currently conducting a public consultation on the draft regulatory instruction until August 24, 2026. This marks an effort towards introducing more regulation in Russia's crypto market and technology.