Moscow Exchange eyes 24/7 crypto trading in push to rival foreign platforms

Moscow Exchange (MOEX), Russia’s top stock exchange, is exploring the possibility of launching round-the-clock crypto trading as the platform moves deeper into digital assets, RBC Investments reported, citing brokerage industry sources.

According to the report, MOEX is holding discussions with brokers about how crypto trading should operate. The talks focused on operating hours, account structures, and deposit mechanics.

The exchange wants to run around the clock, every day of the week, matching the pace of global crypto venues.

MOEX is also exploring infrastructure for crypto-specific accounts and has reportedly begun testing crypto deposits and withdrawals with a limited number of brokers. One financial market source told RBC that its digital depository would likely mirror Russia’s National Settlement Depository, meaning users would not directly hold wallets on the exchange itself.

In a statement to reporters, Moscow Exchange said it is “actively developing solutions” for servicing the crypto market.

This week, MOEX rolled out four new crypto indices linked to XRP, BNB, Solana, and TRON.

The launch increases the total number of crypto benchmarks on MOEX to six, complementing the platform’s existing Bitcoin and Ethereum indices. The exchange said it plans to eventually expand coverage to ten digital assets.

The indices are designed to lay the groundwork for future crypto-linked financial products. Futures tied to the benchmarks are expected to launch later in 2026 and will initially be limited to qualified investors under Russian financial regulations.

The expansion comes as Russia prepares to implement a new crypto regulatory framework that will permit digital asset transactions through licensed brokers and intermediaries.

The proposal, titled “Digital Currency and Digital Rights,” passed its first reading in the State Duma last month. The law is slated to take effect on July 1.

The bill also introduces listing requirements that are, frankly, brutal. For a crypto asset to trade on Russian exchanges, it needs an average market capitalization over two years exceeding 5 trillion rubles, daily trading volume averaging more than 1 trillion rubles across the same period, and a track record of at least five years.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Vivian Nguyen. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.