Russia Opens Regulated Cryptocurrency Market to Russians

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a landmark law allowing Russians to trade cryptocurrencies on regulated platforms. The Law on Digital Currencies and Digital Rights formalizes the booming crypto market in Russia, where Chainalysis estimates that over $650 million is traded daily.

The legislation aims to bring crypto activity out of the shadow economy while giving Russian businesses more options for cross-border settlements, which have been disrupted by Western sanctions. The new law creates a regulated cryptocurrency market, allowing Russians to buy and sell approved cryptocurrencies through licensed platforms supervised by the Central Bank from September 1, 2026.

Only the world's largest and most actively traded cryptocurrencies will be available on Russia's regulated market at first. Bitcoin, Ether (Ethereum), and the USDT stablecoin currently meet the criteria for automatic qualification. The Central Bank can approve additional cryptocurrencies in the future if they meet the requirements.