Russia's New Crypto Law Bans Domestic Payments, Sets License Rules

The Russian parliament passed a law regulating crypto, Cointelegraph reported. The State Duma enacted legislation that legalizes crypto for qualified and non-qualified investors. Domestic payments for goods and services remain prohibited. The Bank of Russia becomes the sole regulator. Exchanges and brokers must obtain licenses and operate under a whitelisted asset framework. The law also imposes an annual cap on retail investments and a risk-awareness test.

Market response is mixed. The regulation could provide a more structured environment, though the ban on domestic payments and strict controls may limit enthusiasm. Prediction markets show low support for Bitcoin reaching $200,000 by the end of 2026, with a peak of 5.5% YES for December 2026.