Putin signs law opening regulated crypto trading in Russia

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a comprehensive digital asset law on Aug. 4, creating a regulated route for retail and qualified investors to trade cryptocurrencies through approved intermediaries. Summary Russia will allow tested retail investors to buy liquid cryptocurrencies through regulated intermediaries from September. Nonqualified investors face a 300,000 ruble annual purchase cap through each intermediary under the law. Registered crypto exchanges must hold 15 million rubles in equity and join an approved SRO. Qualified investors may trade any cryptocurrency without purchase limits after completing mandatory suitability tests successfully. Domestic crypto payments remain banned, while foreign trade settlements receive explicit legal permission under exceptions. The core provisions will take effect on Sept. 1, 2026, according to TASS and the Bank of Russia. The law covers crypto exchanges, digital depositories, brokers, management companies, trading venues and clearing houses. It also addresses mining, custody, accounting and foreign digital instruments. However, it does not recognize cryptocurrency as legal tender for ordinary domestic purchases. LATEST: 🇷🇺 Preside...