Bank of Russia eases qualified investor rules ahead of crypto rollout

The Bank of Russia has opened a new domestic testing route for individuals seeking qualified investor status, a change that could let more Russians access higher cryptocurrency purchase limits under the country’s new regulated market framework. Summary Russia will allow investors to gain qualified status by passing an approved financial knowledge test. The new qualification route takes effect on Aug. 31 and accepts certificates from approved Russian institutions. Qualified retail investors can access crypto purchase limits ten times higher than those for non-qualified investors. The Bank of Russia said individuals will be able to qualify by passing a special financial-market knowledge test and presenting an approved Russian certificate, with the new rules taking effect on Aug. 31. Under the updated requirements, successful applicants can use a Qualifin Certificate issued by the National Finance Association or a MOEX Investor Certificate from the Moscow Exchange. The regulator will also accept a Financial Analyst Certificate from the NFA and an Investment Adviser Certificate from the National Association of Securities Market Participants. Possession of any one of the approved certif...