Russia’s lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has moved the country’s comprehensive cryptocurrency regulation bill toward final approval. The draft law, titled ‘On Digital Currency and Digital Rights’ (No. 1194918-8), is scheduled for second and third readings on July 21, 2026, and aims to create a formal framework for digital assets in Russia.
Investor Classification and Licensing
The bill divides crypto investors into two categories: qualified and non-qualified. Non-qualified investors must pass a knowledge test to purchase approved cryptocurrencies and would face an annual purchase limit of 300,000 rubles through regulated intermediaries. Qualified investors would enjoy broader access and higher transaction limits.
Licensed exchanges, brokers, custodians, and exchange operators would operate under the supervision of the Bank of Russia. Unlicensed firms would face restrictions after a planned transition period. The revised text removed a proposed rule requiring holders to report individual wallet addresses; instead, users would report balances and transaction volumes, a change lawmakers say reduces exposure of sensitive ownership information.
Cross-Border Crypto Trade
While the framework maintains Russia’s ban on crypto payments for ordinary goods and services—keeping the ruble as the sole legal tender—it permits digital assets for selected financial and international transactions. Russian exporters and importers can use cryptocurrencies for eligible foreign trade settlements, building on previous experimental legal regimes.
Anatoly Aksakov, chair of the Duma Financial Market Committee, confirmed the schedule: “Tomorrow, July 21, we will adopt the law in the second and third readings.” The proposal also allows crypto-for-crypto exchanges through licensed platforms, certain private securities transactions, and blockchain network fees using digital assets.
Eligible Cryptocurrencies
Only cryptocurrencies meeting strict market and trading requirements can enter public exchange trading. According to Interfax, Bitcoin and Ethereum currently meet those proposed thresholds. The central bank could temporarily approve other assets for up to six months.
Timeline and Next Steps
State Duma approval is not the final step. The bill must next pass the Federation Council and receive President Vladimir Putin’s signature before becoming law. Officials have targeted September 1, 2026, for the main provisions to take effect, a delay from the original July 1 target following extended negotiations and multiple amendments.
The framework would recognize crypto as property, bring trading into licensed channels, and establish reporting, custody, and supervision rules. Separate legislation would create penalties for violating the new market requirements. Finance Ministry estimates placed domestic crypto trading near 50 billion rubles daily earlier this year, much of it operating outside regulated channels.