Russia Establishes New Rules for Digital Depository Ahead of Cryptocurrency System Deployment
Russia is creating new rules for digital depositaries ahead of the launch of its cryptocurrency system. The proposals will extend existing securities market regulations—covering trading, custody, record-keeping, and disclosure—to digital assets. Within this framework, regulated "digital depositaries" will be established to register holdings of cryptocurrency and other digital assets. Their capital requirements will range from 50 million rubles ($570,000) to 250 million rubles ($2.8 million), depending on services provided. Settlement depositaries require the highest capital (250 million rubles), with lower thresholds for firms controlling crypto addresses or using foreign depositaries (100 million rubles) and for other digital depositaries (50 million rubles). Assets counted toward capital must be liquid and meet the central bank's credit quality standards. These rules will also apply to operators of electronic platforms trading digital financial assets. The Bank of Russia will maintain registers for these depositaries, crypto exchange operators, and issuers of digital financial assets. The regulations are based on a digital assets bill passed by parliament in July, with the full crypto system expected by September. The proposals are currently open for public feedback. This announcement follows the European Union's latest sanctions package targeting 14 crypto firms.
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