Breaking: Bank of Russia Proposes Allowing Investors to Buy Bitcoin and Crypto in Major Regulatory Shift

Russia is willing to transform its approach to cryptocurrencies. According to the Bank of Russia, investors would be afforded a chance to acquire Bitcoin and other crypto-assets legally in a new regulatory regime.

Russia Permits Crypto Trading, Prohibits Payment 

The project establishes a regulated structure of trading in crypto in Russia without exceptionally strict guidelines. Cryptocurrencies would also be accessible to both qualified and unqualified investors. This shift follows Russia’s Sberbank crypto custody expansion, signifying growing institutional involvement

However, the investor groups would have different rules and restrictions. According to the central bank, digital currencies and stablecoins are considered as currencies of value, thus can be purchased and sold as an asset.

Meanwhile, the cryptocurrencies will remain prohibited in Russia as a payment option. Bitcoin and stablecoins cannot be used to pay goods and services. Officials continue to categorize crypto as high-risk instrument on basis of price volatility and absence of guarantees.

Can Russians Buy Crypto Under The Latest Regulations? 

Unqualified investors will be limited to the strictest boundaries. They are only able to purchase the most liquid coins like Bitcoin. This is reflective of growing institutional demand, such as the BlackRock Bitcoin ETF, which is one of the largest ETFs globally by inflows in 2025.

Notably, investors must first pass a knowledge test. Unqualified investors could only buy up to 300,000 rubles worth of cryptocurrencies per year through licensed exchanges or brokers.

However, qualified investors would receive broader access. They could buy any cryptocurrency except anonymous tokens. There would be no investment caps for qualified investors. They would still need to confirm their understanding of the risks.

Bitcoin and crypto transactions would only be conducted on exchanges, brokers, and trust managers who have valid licenses. Cryptocurrencies can also be purchased by the Russian residents in other countries.

Transfers of assets through foreign accounts and in between can also happen. But such transfers should also be disclosed to the tax authorities to enhance transparency.

How Will the Crypto Rules in Russia Come into Force? 

The Bank of Russia is of the opinion that this regulatory change will help attract foreign capital, and innovation in the nation’s financial sector. Other compliance-based systems are also being established elsewhere, including the IMF and El Salvador Bitcoin compliance discussions.

Next, the proposal will be discussed by the lawmakers, and a draft legislation may be prepared by July 1, 2026. Beginning from July 1, 2027, there can be penalties in case of illegal intermediation related to crypto-related issues.

Similar ones are currently applied in the banking industry. This change represents a huge win for the crypto market. It implies that ownership of Bitcoin can become legal in Russia and investors are currently waiting on further details to know how it will be implemented.