Russia finalizes crypto trading rules for Nov. 17 rollout
Retail trading to begin Nov. 17
Russia's central bank, the Bank of Russia, has finalized rules for retail crypto trading. The rules start on Nov. 17.
Exchanges and other regulated intermediaries can offer Bitcoin, Ether and Tether USDt to retail investors. An exchange is a platform where users can buy and sell crypto.
Purchase limits and a mandatory test
- Non-qualified investors can buy up to 300,000 rubles, about $3,700, in crypto each year through each intermediary.
- The intermediaries named in the rules include brokers, asset managers and crypto exchange providers.
- Qualified investors have no purchase limit under the rules.
- All investors must pass a mandatory test before they can trade.
Steps that led to the new rules
The rules build on a law signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 4. The law created a regulated crypto market under central bank oversight.
On Aug. 11, the Bank of Russia published draft regulations. It named Bitcoin, Ether and Tether USDt as eligible for public trading. The draft referred to market size, average daily trading volume and at least five years of price history on foreign exchanges.
The law took effect on Sept. 1. In October, the Bank of Russia authorized Sberbank, described as the country's largest bank, to offer crypto exchange services.
Tighter rules for trading outside regulated platforms
Russia is also tightening rules for crypto trading outside regulated channels.
Direct peer-to-peer trading, meaning trading directly between people, will be prohibited from July 1, 2027. Transfers from regulated digital accounts to self-custody wallets, which are wallets that users control themselves, are already banned, according to the Bank of Russia.
Russia also keeps a ban on using crypto to pay for goods and services.
Launch planned for Moscow Exchange in December
Moscow Exchange, described as Russia's largest securities exchange, plans to launch crypto trading on Dec. 1. It will first offer the three cryptocurrencies through pilot transactions.
Sources
Newisty Editorial Team covers technology, cryptocurrency, digital products, online platforms, developer tools and the wider digital economy. Our content is researched from official sources, company announcements, public documentation, market data and other primary or reputable sources. Articles are reviewed and edited before publication for clarity, accuracy and useful context.