Russia Opens Regulated Crypto Trading with $3,800 Annual Limit

Russia is set to open its doors to regulated crypto trading on September 1, marking a significant shift in the country's stance towards digital assets. Non-qualified retail investors will be allowed to buy up to 300,000 rubles (~$3,800) per year through each licensed intermediary, but with a catch: they must first pass a risk-assessment test.

Trading under this new framework will initially focus on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT. SberCIB predicts that only about 20% of crypto volume will reach regulated exchanges initially, implying limited adoption in the short term.