Russia Signs Law Regulating Digital Currencies Amid Ongoing Crypto Market Growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed Federal Law No. 282-FZ on August 4, 2026, bringing an end to years of legal ambiguity for Russian crypto traders and exporters.
The law, titled 'On Digital Currencies and Digital Rights,' introduces a framework that splits digital assets into two distinct lanes: one for investors under tight supervision and another for companies moving money across borders.
Retail access is now restricted to licensed intermediaries only, with non-qualified investors required to pass a knowledge and suitability test before buying up to 300,000 rubles ($3,700) of approved crypto assets per year. The central bank has set its sights high for approval, screening for assets with an average market capitalization above 5 trillion rubles and daily trading volume exceeding 1 trillion rubles.
The law also licenses five categories of market participants under the Bank of Russia's control: exchanges, brokers, management companies, depositories, and exchangers. These entities must meet stringent capital requirements, join a self-regulatory organization, and adhere to risk management, disclosure, and customer protection standards.