Russia May Block Foreign Crypto Exchanges This Summer as Domestic Rules Near
Russia may begin blocking access to major foreign cryptocurrency exchanges as early as this summer, according to industry experts cited in a report. The move is part of a broader effort to shift crypto activity into regulated, onshore infrastructure as domestic rules advance. The likely enforcement method will be DNS-level disruption, making sites inaccessible, rather than a complete ban. Russian officials estimate daily crypto transactions at around 50 billion rubles, with millions of citizens participating. The Moscow Exchange has pointed to $15 billion in fees paid by Russians to global platforms as a revenue opportunity for local venues. Experts warn that aggressive blocking could push users into riskier channels and increase fraud if onshore options aren't competitive. The regulatory framework for Russian crypto exchanges is expected by July 2026.
ccn.com02/18 09:11
