Russia approves Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT for retail trading, excludes XRP

https://u.today/opinions/crypto-regulation-2026-what-is-happening-in-russia Russia’s central bank has officially approved Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether’s USDT for public retail access on domestic exchanges, while notably excluding XRP from the list. This decision is part of a broader framework under Russia’s new licensed crypto market regime, which imposes specific criteria for retail investors. These criteria include using approved intermediaries, passing a risk assessment test, and adhering to a 300,000-ruble annual cap per intermediary. The regulatory body cited factors such as market capitalization, daily volume, and history as key considerations for approving the cryptocurrencies. Although XRP has been integrated into Russia’s institutional offerings, including the Moscow Exchange’s XRP index, it remains unavailable for retail access. Key Takeaways Russia’s approval of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT for retail access suggests these assets meet the country’s regulatory criteria, unlike XRP. Market participants appear to interpret the exclusion of XRP from retail access as indicative of ongoing regulatory challenges for the asset. Pricing in XRP-related markets, such as the likelih...