Russia Starts Relaxing Crypto Trading Rules as Part of Broader Regulatory Shift

Russia’s financial authorities are moving to ease long-standing restrictions on cryptocurrency trading, marking a shift from rigid control toward a more regulated and accessible market framework for digital assets.

Under the Bank of Russia’s new proposal, both qualified and retail (non-qualified) investors would be permitted to buy and sell cryptocurrencies under defined conditions. Retail investors would need to pass a mandatory risk awareness test before trading and would be limited to purchases up to 300,000 rubles (~$3,800) per year per intermediary.

Qualified investors would face fewer restrictions and be allowed to trade a broader range of digital assets — excluding privacy-focused tokens — making it easier for professional capital to participate in the crypto market.

The proposed framework also outlines steps to formalize trading through licensed infrastructure, including exchanges and brokers, and would allow Russians to acquire crypto via foreign platforms and report such transactions to tax authorities.

Key changes include:

Retail access to crypto with purchase limits and education requirements.

Qualified investor privileges with broader trading permissions.

Integration into licensed financial channels for more transparent trading.

Legislative framework targeted for completion by mid-2026.

This shift reflects a major policy evolution, as Russia transitions from informal, restrictive stances toward structured crypto access with regulatory oversight, setting the stage for clearer market participation rules while balancing risk controls.