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Russia is reportedly preparing a crypto regulation package that would set trading rules and licensing standards for digital assets. The plan would open a regulated market to both retail and institutional participants while maintaining limits for smaller investors.
Anatoly Aksakov, Head of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market, told Parliamentary Gazette that lawmakers expect to finalize the bill for voting by the end of June. He informed that the regulatory rollout will likely begin in July 2027.
Aksakov said the State Duma will consider the comprehensive crypto law in late June, as reported by the Parliamentary Gazette. If lawmakers approve the bill, the framework would take effect one year later to allow preparation.
This schedule would set the complete start date to July 1, 2027, based on Aksakov’s comments. The timeline creates a transition period for exchanges, brokers, and custody providers to meet new requirements.
The proposed package would address trading, issuance, mining, and distribution of cryptocurrencies. However, it would reaffirm the ban on using crypto for domestic payments, Aksakov said.
Russia’s draft would introduce a two-tier crypto regime that separates ‘qualified’ and ‘non-qualified’ investors. TASS previously reported that non-qualified traders would get limited access to the retail crypto market.
Under the approach discussed, non-qualified investors would be able to buy only the ‘most liquid’ cryptocurrencies. Their annual purchases would be capped at 300,000 rubles, or about $3,900 to $4,000.
Retail investors would also need to pass an eligibility test before they can trade. The safeguard aims to confirm basic risk awareness for high-volatility crypto assets.
Qualified investors, described as professional participants, would be able to trade a wider range of tokens without volume limits. Still, the rules would prohibit privacy coins that hide recipients, including Monero and Zcash.
Alexandra Fedotova, a lawyer at White Stone, told the Parliamentary Gazette that the central bank will likely publish a permitted coin list. She said it may cover the top 5 to 10 most-traded assets on major exchanges.
Fedotova said Bitcoin and Ethereum will definitely appear on the list. She added that Solana or Toncoin could also be included due to strong local demand.
Fedotova also said policymakers may classify stablecoins separately as tools for foreign economic activity. The reporting described stablecoins as instruments for cross-border settlement, rather than for everyday domestic payments.
The draft would also set clearer requirements for crypto exchange licensing and intermediary activity. Aksakov said unregistered exchange operators could face fines or jail time, mirroring Russian penalties for illegal banking.
Existing licensed exchanges and brokers would be able to keep operating under current permissions. Meanwhile, platforms and storage providers now in a gray area would need new licenses tailored to their services. Authorities also plan separate penalties.
The rules would allow Russians to buy crypto on foreign platforms using overseas accounts and transfer assets to domestic venues. However, such cross-border crypto transactions would need to be reported to tax authorities.
If lawmakers pass the bill in late June, market participants will focus on compliance buildouts through 2026 and early 2027. The central bank’s final coin list and investor testing standards will shape how quickly retail crypto trading expands.
Also Read: Crypto Market Today: Russia Plans to Unblock Crypto-Linked Bank Accounts After Anti-Fraud Errors
