How the Central Bank Will Regulate Cryptocurrencies in Russia. The Main Points

RBK-cryptoPublished on 2025-12-23Last updated on 2025-12-23

Abstract

The Central Bank of Russia has published a concept for regulating cryptocurrencies and digital assets, with legislative changes proposed to the government. While crypto assets can be purchased by both qualified and unqualified investors, they are recognized as high-risk and cannot be used for domestic payments. Key regulations include: Unqualified investors can only buy the most liquid cryptocurrencies after passing a test, with an annual limit of 300,000 rubles per intermediary. Qualified investors can purchase any non-anonymous cryptocurrencies without volume limits, also after risk testing. Operations will be conducted through existing licensed infrastructure like exchanges and brokers. Residents can buy crypto abroad using foreign accounts and transfer previously purchased crypto overseas through Russian intermediaries, but must notify the tax service. The legal framework is to be prepared by July 1, 2026, with penalties for illegal intermediary activities effective from July 1, 2027. The regulation also covers the market for Russian Digital Financial Assets (DFAs), permitting their circulation on open networks to allow issuers to attract foreign investment. DFAs, distinct from cryptocurrencies, are tokenized versions of real assets issued on private blockchains by approved operators.

The Bank of Russia has published a concept for regulating the cryptocurrency and digital asset market. The regulator has sent the corresponding proposals for legislative changes to the government for consideration.

According to the concept, both qualified and non-qualified investors will be able to acquire crypto assets, but specific rules will be established for each category. Digital currencies and stablecoins are recognized as currency values; they can be bought and sold, but they cannot be used for payments within the country.

"The Bank of Russia still considers cryptocurrencies to be a high-risk instrument. They are not issued or guaranteed by any jurisdiction, are subject to high volatility and sanctions risks. When deciding to invest in crypto assets, investors must be aware that they are taking on the risks of potentially losing their funds," the regulator's statement says.

The legislative framework is planned to be prepared by July 1, 2026. Starting from July 1, 2027, liability for illegal activities of intermediaries in the cryptocurrency market is planned to be introduced, similar to the liability for illegal banking activities.

Key Points

  • Non-qualified investors will be able to acquire the most liquid cryptocurrencies, for which criteria will be established in the legislation, but only after passing a test and within a limit—no more than 300 thousand rubles per year through one intermediary.
  • Qualified investors will be able to acquire any cryptocurrencies, except anonymous ones (whose smart contracts hide information about token transfers to recipients), without restrictions on transaction volumes, but also only after passing a test to understand their risks.
  • It will be possible to carry out operations with cryptocurrencies through the existing infrastructure: exchanges, brokers, and trust managers will be able to operate based on existing licenses. Separate requirements will be established only for special depositories and exchangers that will work with cryptocurrencies.
  • Residents will be able to acquire cryptocurrency abroad (paying for it from foreign accounts) and transfer previously purchased cryptocurrency through Russian intermediaries abroad, but such operations will need to be reported to the tax service.

DFA Market

The new regulation will also affect the market of digital financial assets (DFA). The circulation of DFA and other Russian digital rights (utility, hybrid) will be permitted in open networks. This will allow issuers to freely attract investments from abroad, and clients to acquire DFA on terms no worse than acquiring cryptocurrency.

Russian digital financial assets (DFA) are tokenized versions of real assets that are issued using blockchain technology. This category does not include cryptocurrencies or tokens traded on crypto exchanges.

DFA are issued only through operators officially approved by the Bank of Russia. Such operators include Sber, A-Token, the Atomize and Masterchain platforms, and others.

Unlike tokens, which in the crypto market are commonly referred to as tokenized "real world assets" (RWA), DFA do not use public blockchain networks, but use private blockchains and their own rules for asset digitization.

Related Questions

QWhat is the Central Bank of Russia's stance on cryptocurrencies according to the article?

AThe Central Bank of Russia considers cryptocurrencies to be a high-risk instrument. They are not issued or guaranteed by any jurisdiction and are subject to high volatility and sanctions risks. The regulator warns that investors must be aware they are taking on the risk of potentially losing their funds.

QWhat are the key differences in how qualified and non-qualified investors can purchase cryptocurrencies under the new concept?

ANon-qualified investors can only purchase the most liquid cryptocurrencies (as defined by law) after passing a test and are limited to a maximum of 300,000 rubles per year per intermediary. Qualified investors can purchase any cryptocurrencies except anonymous ones without volume limits, but they must also pass a risk awareness test.

QBy what date does the Central Bank plan to prepare the legislative base for cryptocurrency regulation?

AThe legislative base is planned to be prepared by July 1, 2026.

QHow will Digital Financial Assets (DFAs) differ from cryptocurrencies under the new regulation?

ADFAs are tokenized versions of real assets issued using blockchain technology, but they are not the same as cryptocurrencies traded on crypto exchanges. DFAs are issued only through operators approved by the Bank of Russia and use private blockchains with their own rules for asset digitization, unlike cryptocurrencies which often use public blockchains.

QWhat are the rules for Russian residents purchasing cryptocurrency abroad?

AResidents will be able to purchase cryptocurrency abroad by paying for it from foreign accounts. They can also transfer previously purchased cryptocurrency abroad through Russian intermediaries. However, such operations must be reported to the tax service.

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