Sberbank Sees $46 Billion in Crypto Transaction Volume Under Russia's New Regulations

Russia is gearing up to impose strict regulations on cryptocurrency trading nationwide, effective from September 1, 2026. The new law will introduce annual limits for individual investors, who can purchase a maximum of 300,000 rubles ($3,900) worth of crypto assets per year.

Qualified investors, however, will have more freedom to trade without any limits. Anatoly Popov, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board at Sberbank, forecasts that total transaction volume on regulated exchanges could reach 4 trillion rubles (approximately $46.4 billion) in the first year after the new rules take effect.

The regulation also prohibits the use of crypto assets for domestic payments for goods and services, but allows cross-border payments in foreign trade contracts between Russian companies and foreign parties.