Russia's Moscow Exchange Launches Digital Depository for Crypto-Assets

The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) has announced plans to launch its own digital depository for crypto-assets, marking a significant shift in Russia's stance on cryptocurrencies. By the end of 2026, investing in Bitcoin will become as simple and legal as buying shares in Gazprom or Sberbank.

The new infrastructure aims to bypass Western sanctions and the disconnection from the SWIFT system by creating an alternative financial infrastructure for cross-border settlements. The MOEX digital depository will use distributed ledger technology (DLT) to account for rights to assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and stablecoins like USDT.

Russian investors will have a protected mechanism for asset ownership, while the state gains a transparent tool for control and taxation. Qualified investors will have no limits on their investments, but non-qualified investors are restricted to 300,000 rubles per year.