Central Bank Proposes to Restrict Ordinary Russians' Right to Buy Cryptocurrency

RBK-cryptoPublished on 2025-12-11Last updated on 2025-12-11

Abstract

The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) has proposed restrictions that would prevent ordinary Russian citizens from purchasing cryptocurrency, according to First Deputy Chairman Vladimir Chistyukhin. The regulator suggests allowing only qualified investors to access the crypto market, provided they pass a specific test to demonstrate their understanding of how cryptocurrency works. However, the proposed rules would not restrict individuals from holding or selling crypto assets they already own; they would only be barred from making new purchases. The CBR sees no need to inform non-professional investors about crypto-related financial instruments, which are currently available only to qualified investors. While not ruling out the possibility of eventually allowing retail investors access under certain conditions and with limitations (such as only to the most liquid instruments), the CBR emphasized that legitimizing the crypto market is a current priority. The bank hopes for the adoption of cryptocurrency regulation laws by 2026.

The Central Bank has proposed introducing restrictions on cryptocurrency purchases for ordinary Russians, stated First Deputy Chairman of the Bank of Russia Vladimir Chistyukhin in an interview with RIA Novosti. According to him, the Central Bank agrees to allow qualified investors into the crypto market provided they pass certain testing.

"There should be questions on understanding how 'crypto' works, nothing extraordinary. 'Qualified investors' will find it easy to answer them and obtain the necessary status," assured the First Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank.

At the same time, no restrictions are proposed for the storage and sale of already purchased crypto assets.

"If they (ordinary people) have the status of a person who cannot conduct operations with crypto assets, they will be able to either continue holding them or sell or exchange them for some fiat currency or other assets. No restrictions on exiting crypto assets are envisaged—neither in terms of time nor volume. Only new purchase transactions will be restricted," said Chistyukhin.

He also noted that the Central Bank considers it unnecessary to inform non-professional investors about securities, digital financial assets (DFAs), and derivative financial instruments (DFIs) linked to cryptocurrency, which qualified investors already have access to. The regulator had previously recommended that professional market participants not offer crypto instruments to 'non-qualified investors'.

"That's correct, because today these instruments can only be offered to qualified investors. Why then stir up the attention of non-qualified ones? What's the goal? To increase their risks? I don't understand it. This is a very strange position," said Chistyukhin.

At the same time, he did not rule out that under certain conditions, non-qualified investors might still be allowed access to cryptocurrency instruments, albeit with some restrictions.

"If a decision is made to allow 'non-qualified investors' under certain conditions, then the circle of those who can conduct operations with crypto will expand," added Chistyukhin, noting that such investors might only be granted access to the most liquid instruments.

He also mentioned that the Bank of Russia currently considers it fundamentally important to legitimize the cryptocurrency market in Russia. There is no time for experiments, and the Central Bank hopes for the adoption of laws regulating cryptocurrencies in 2026, noted Chistyukhin.

In Belarus, access to major crypto exchange websites has been restricted.

The Central Bank named Bitcoin the most loss-making asset for November when invested in rubles.

Russia accounted for up to 31% of the traffic of the largest crypto exchanges in November.

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