Russia Proposes Opening Trading of Top Cryptos to Retail Investors

Russia's central bank has proposed allowing retail investors to trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether's USDT on licensed domestic exchanges under a draft directive published August 11.

The framework caps annual purchases by non-qualified investors at 300,000 rubles, approximately $3,630, per intermediary, while qualified investors face no restrictions.

The three assets were selected based on market capitalization, daily trading volume, and a minimum five-year pricing history, criteria written into a new digital currency law signed by President Putin on August 4.

Cryptocurrency remains prohibited for domestic payments, though cross-border trade settlements are permitted.