Russia has approved a new set of draft laws aimed at tightening oversight of cryptocurrency trading by routing all domestic activity through licensed intermediaries while placing strict limits on retail participation.
Summary
Russia plans to channel crypto trading through regulated intermediaries.
Retail investors will face a yearly cap of 300,000 rubles and must meet eligibility criteria.
The framework expands access for qualified investors while tightening overall oversight.
According to the Finance Ministry, the proposed legislation seeks to formalize the country’s crypto market by mandating that all trading be conducted via regulated platforms. Under this system, access for retail investors will remain limited, while more flexibility will be granted to qualified participants.
For retail users, the rules impose several restrictions. Investors will only be allowed to purchase a select group of highly liquid digital assets approved by the Bank of Russia. Additionally, individuals must pass a qualification test before gaining access to trading and will be limited to annual purchases of up to 300,000 rubles through a single intermediary.
Despite these controls, Russian citizens will still be permitted to buy cryptocurrencies through foreign accounts. However, such transactions must be disclosed to tax authorities.
Stricter regulation for industry players
The draft package also introduces broader regulatory changes affecting crypto service providers. Exchanges, custodians, and other entities involved in digital asset operations will be required to obtain licenses under a newly established regulatory framework. Banks and brokerage firms may also participate, provided they meet specific compliance and prudential standards.
To reinforce enforcement, the legislation includes provisions for administrative penalties targeting unlicensed activity and violations within the crypto trading ecosystem.
Broader regulatory push
This move is part of Russia’s wider effort to bring the digital asset sector under tighter control. Authorities have been working on multiple fronts to regulate cryptocurrencies more comprehensively, including plans to introduce separate legislation governing fiat-backed digital assets.
Overall, the proposed framework signals a shift toward stricter oversight, aiming to balance controlled retail access with a more structured and compliant crypto market environment.
