Moscow Exchange is exploring a major Move into digital assets, holding discussions with brokers to develop a cryptocurrency trading model that could eventually support 24/7 trading. This would mark a significant shift in Russia’s financial infrastructure, aligning crypto markets more closely with their global, always-open nature—unlike traditional stock exchanges with fixed hours.

A key aspect of the proposed system is that trading would not be direct for retail users. Instead, investors would access crypto through broker-managed custody accounts, meaning users won’t hold wallets directly on the exchange. This structure mirrors traditional financial markets and suggests Russia is aiming for tighter control and regulatory oversight of digital assets rather than fully decentralized participation.

The exchange is also testing crypto deposit and withdrawal features with selected brokers, indicating that infrastructure development is already underway. However, the feasibility of round-the-clock trading will depend heavily on clearing and settlement systems—critical backend processes that must adapt to continuous operation.

Globally, this move reflects a broader trend of convergence between traditional finance and crypto. While Russia is building a broker-mediated model, platforms like Coinbase are expanding into derivatives such as perpetual contracts with 24/7 access, and firms like Bitget are pushing regulatory expansion in regions like Latin America.

At the same time, market signals remain mixed. Bitcoin briefly dipped below $81,000 as momentum cooled, while traditional markets like South Korea’s KOSPI declined amid tech sector weakness. These cross-market dynamics highlight how crypto is increasingly intertwined with global financial sentiment.

Moscow Exchange’s plan signals a cautious but strategic entry into crypto—favoring institutional control, broker intermediation, and regulatory alignment, rather than open, retail-driven participation.#MoscowExchangeCryptoTrading