Crypto▲ Bullish
Putin Signs Russia's First Digital Asset Law, Effective Sept 1
Putin signed Russia's first digital asset law Aug 4, effective Sept 1. Licensed exchanges only after July 2027. Retail investors capped at 300,000 rubles annually.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin signed legislation on August 4 creating the country's first formal rules for digital currencies and digital rights. The law, called "On Digital Currency and Digital Rights," was introduced by the government earlier this year and cleared parliament before receiving Putin's signature.
Most provisions kick in September 1, 2026. Some requirements roll out through 2027.
Under the new rules, only organizations on a special government registry can run digital currency exchanges after a transition period ending July 1, 2027. Those entities must hold at least 15 million rubles (roughly $187,000) in capital and join a financial-market self-regulatory organization, the law says.
Exchange activity is defined as systematically executing crypto buy-and-sell transactions outside organized trading venues. That means two or more such deals in a month totaling more than 3.5 million rubles.
The framework keeps the existing ban on using digital currencies or digital rights as payment for goods and services inside Russia. Advertising cryptocurrency as a domestic payment method is also prohibited.
Limited exceptions apply. Digital currencies can be used for settlements under foreign-trade contracts between residents and non-residents, transactions involving mined cryptocurrency, certain system fees, and exchanges involving securities or other digital assets.