Russia’s central bank has introduced new rules for cryptocurrency exchanges, digital asset storage companies, and digital currency accounts as the country prepares to launch its regulated crypto market on September 1.
The proposed framework explains how crypto platforms will operate under Russia’s new digital currency law. It also gives the Bank of Russia control over licensing and maintaining official records of approved crypto market participants.
Under the new rules, cryptocurrency exchanges will be allowed to create their own trading systems and set market prices for digital assets listed on their platforms.
The central bank has also introduced requirements for digital depositories, which will be responsible for storing records of crypto ownership and transactions. These companies will need minimum capital between 50 million and 250 million rubles, depending on the services they provide.
The Bank of Russia said these businesses must maintain strong financial backing and hold assets with high credit quality.
The new regulations will also create procedures for opening and managing digital currency accounts for approved market participants.
The upcoming system will place crypto exchanges, storage providers, and other digital asset companies under official supervision. The central bank will maintain a register of licensed operators allowed to work in the market.
Russia’s digital currency law was recently approved by lawmakers and is moving toward final approval. The law recognizes cryptocurrencies as property but still bans their use for regular payments inside Russia, keeping the ruble as the country’s official currency.
Some parts of the new system will not be fully active until 2027, giving financial companies time to complete registration, receive approvals, and update their systems.
Several major Russian banks, including Sberbank, VTB, T-Bank, and Alfa-Bank, have already started preparing digital asset services. The Moscow Exchange has also shown interest in offering regulated crypto products.
Russia’s Finance Ministry estimates that cryptocurrency trading inside the country reaches around 50 billion rubles, or about $640 million, every day, with much of the activity currently happening outside official financial systems. The new rules aim to bring these activities under government oversight.
However, ordinary investors will still face limits. Non-qualified investors will only be allowed to buy certain major cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT, through approved platforms. The latest rules limit annual purchases for eligible retail investors to around $4,000.
Qualified investors will have access to more digital asset products.
While crypto payments inside Russia remain restricted, approved digital assets may be used for some international transactions. Russian authorities have already tested crypto-based settlements for foreign trade under special programs.
The Bank of Russia has opened the draft rules for public review before making them final.
