Crypto & Digital Assets - Russia

DevelopingBank of Russia (Central Bank) is the lead regulator. Two distinct regimes: (1) Federal Law No. 259-FZ 'On Digital Financial Assets' (in force since Jan 2021) governs tokenized DFAs and their licensed exchange/issuance operators; (2) 'digital currency' (cryptocurrency such as Bitcoin) is recognized as property/monetary asset but trading is currently allowed only under an Experimental Legal Regime (ELR) — a broad licensing framework for crypto intermediaries was unveiled by the Bank of Russia in Dec 2025 and is slated for adoption by July 1, 2026.

Russia treats tokenized 'digital financial assets' (DFAs) and free-floating 'cryptocurrency' (digital currency) under separate legal tracks, both centered on the Bank of Russia. DFA exchange operators must be entered on a Bank of Russia register; crypto-currency exchange/trading is presently confined to an experimental regime, with a public-facing licensing framework for exchanges, brokers and intermediaries proposed in December 2025 to take effect from 1 July 2026. Using crypto for domestic payments remains banned, and intermediaries operating outside the regime face penalties from 2027.

Machine-assisted translation · verified 5/23/2026 · orientation, not legal advice. English version →