Russian State Duma Finalizes Comprehensive Framework for Normalizing Crypto Trading - FinanceFeeds

The Russian State Duma's Regulatory Overhaul: Integrating Cryptocurrency into the Formal Economy

 

In a landmark move, the Russian State Duma has officially finalized a draft bill aimed at integrating cryptocurrency trading into the formal economy, ending years of regulatory uncertainty. This represents a significant shift in the approach of Russian financial oversight towards digital assets. As Anatoly Aksakov, Chairman of the Financial Markets Committee, announced on January 14, 2026, the legislation is ready for deliberation in the upcoming spring session. The bill primarily focuses on removing digital assets from the "special financial regulation" framework, marking a transition to treating cryptocurrencies as standard financial instruments rather than exceptional regulatory objects. This shift is driven by the reality that an estimated 20 million Russian citizens are already active participants in the digital economy. By clarifying the legal status of cryptocurrencies for both domestic and international operations, the Russian government aims to professionalize the sector and integrate it into the broader civil and financial code.

 

Individual Investment Thresholds and the Integration of Professional Market Participants

 

A key aspect of the finalized bill is the introduction of a tiered participation model, which is designed to stimulate market growth while ensuring protection for retail investors. Under the new regulations, non-professional or "non-qualified" investors will be allowed to buy up to 300,000 rubles worth of digital assets annually via a single regulated intermediary, provided they fulfill specific risk-disclosure requirements. On the other hand, professional financial market participants will not face such volume restrictions, potentially enabling large-scale institutional activity that could enhance domestic liquidity. Additionally, the bill lays the legal groundwork for Russian-based crypto exchanges and brokers to operate under federal oversight. The State Duma anticipates that this will curtail fraudulent schemes associated with foreign platforms and improve tax collection efficiency on digital asset gains.

 

Leveraging Digital Assets for International Trade and Sanctions Resilience

 

Beyond domestic trading, the new legislation targets the strategic use of digital assets for international settlements, positioning them as critical tools for maintaining global trade in an increasingly restrictive economic environment. The bill permits Russian companies to utilize both cryptocurrencies and stablecoins for cross-border contracts, with the condition that transactions occur through authorized infrastructure and comply with stringent anti-money laundering protocols. This initiative not only aims to bolster Russia's international trade capabilities but also seeks to complement the retail rollout of the digital ruble. Together, these efforts create a dual-layered digital economy where the state-controlled Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) handles domestic payments, while privately issued digital assets facilitate foreign commerce. With the legislative framework set to be fully implemented by July 1, 2026, Russia is positioning itself as a potential leading global hub for tokenized finance and regulated crypto innovation.