The Russian State Duma's Finalization of Landmark Cryptocurrency Legislation

 

The Russian State Duma has officially finalized the draft of a significant bill designed to integrate cryptocurrency trading into the mainstream economy, marking a pivotal transition from years of regulatory uncertainty. Anatoly Aksakov, Chairman of the Financial Markets Committee, confirmed on January 14, 2026, that the legislation is set for the forthcoming spring session. The bill aims to remove digital assets from the "special financial regulation" framework, opting instead to classify cryptocurrencies as conventional financial instruments. This transition acknowledges the prevalent participation of an estimated 20 million Russian citizens in the digital economy. By establishing a clear legal status for both domestic and international operations, the government seeks to professionalize the cryptocurrency sector and incorporate it into the broader civil and financial code.

 

Individual Investment Thresholds and Integration of Professional Market Participants

 

A core component of the finalized bill is the introduction of a tiered participation model intended to foster market growth while safeguarding retail investors. Non-professional or "non-qualified" investors will have the opportunity to purchase digital assets valued up to 300,000 rubles annually through a single regulated intermediary, provided they meet specific risk-disclosure prerequisites. Meanwhile, professional financial market participants will not be subject to such volume constraints, allowing for substantial institutional activity that could significantly bolster domestic liquidity. Furthermore, the bill provides the legal framework for Russian-based crypto exchanges and brokers to function under federal supervision. The State Duma anticipates this regulatory approach will curtail fraudulent activities associated with foreign platforms and enhance the efficiency of tax collection on digital asset gains.

 

Leveraging Digital Assets for International Trade and Sanctions Resilience

 

In addition to addressing domestic trading, the new legislation expressly focuses on employing digital assets for international settlements, positioning them as strategic instruments to sustain global trade amidst restrictive economic conditions. The bill authorizes Russian companies to use both cryptocurrencies and stablecoins for cross-border transactions, provided these are conducted through sanctioned infrastructure and comply with strict anti-money laundering measures. This initiative is intended to complement the domestic deployment of the digital ruble, establishing a dual-layered digital economy where the state-managed Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) accommodates domestic transactions, while private digital assets are employed for international commerce. With the legislative framework projected to be fully enacted by July 1, 2026, Russia is setting its sights on becoming a principal global hub for tokenized finance and regulated cryptocurrency innovation.