Russia’s State Duma passes crypto market law, with Bank of Russia as regulator and 1 September 2026 start date

The State Duma has adopted a law that creates a legal framework for cryptocurrency circulation in Russia. For PSPs and crypto infrastructure providers, the key point is not the headline itself, but the registry-and-controls model: Bank of Russia gets the supervisory role, while exchange and custody flows are being pushed into a tighter, more traceable setup.

1. The law, titled “On Digital Currencies and Digital Rights”, was passed in its second and third readings. It recognizes digital currencies as property and gives them judicial protection, which is the basic legal step needed for enforceable ownership and disputes.
2. Bank of Russia is designated as the regulator. It will maintain registries of crypto exchangers and digital custodians, so any business operating in this chain now has a clear supervisory counterpart instead of a legal vacuum.
3. Russian residents will be allowed to invest in cryptocurrencies on exchanges through brokers and asset managers. Non-qualified investors, after passing a test, will get access to liquid assets with a 300,000 ruble annual limit through each intermediary.
4. For foreign trade participants, all types of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins are available. Transfers to non-custodial wallets above 100,000 rubles will require a 48-hour cooling-off period, which is a direct friction point for settlement flows and treasury operations.
5. Crypto exchangers will be allowed to credit purchased currency only to the buyer’s account, and from September 2027 they must verify recipient accounts. The law takes effect on 1 September 2026, so the compliance clock starts now, even if some operational obligations arrive later.