Bank of Russia Drafts New Rules for Crypto Trading
Key Takeaways
- •The Bank of Russia has released draft changes to its organized trading rules that add digital currency language throughout the framework.
- •Crypto exchanges and similar organizations would be required to handle digital assets through their existing pricing, monitoring, and reporting systems.
- •The draft rules are part of a broader move to bring crypto trading into a more formal market structure in Russia.
- •The State Duma is also preparing comprehensive cryptocurrency legislation, alongside the central bank’s regulatory work.
- •Crypto has been illegal as a payment method in Russia since 2022, but the country has allowed digital assets for international settlements and payments.
Russia’s central bank on Monday published draft regulations for the trading of digital currencies.
The Bank of Russia released changes to its “organized trading” rules, including the term “digital currency” throughout. Under the new framework, organizations such as crypto exchanges will have to report digital assets through their existing systems for pricing, monitoring, and reporting, using the same processes they already apply to regular currencies and securities. The draft appears to be another step in bringing crypto trading into a more formal market structure, even as Russia’s broader rules on how digital assets can be used remain limited.
NEW: Bank of Russia says it has drafted "first regulations to launch cryptocurrency market in Russia." "The Bank of Russia has created conditions for organised trading in digital currencies and digital rights." pic.twitter.com/vrj0Qgo7A9 — Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) July 28, 2026
NEW: Bank of Russia says it has drafted "first regulations to launch cryptocurrency market in Russia." "The Bank of Russia has created conditions for organised trading in digital currencies and digital rights." pic.twitter.com/vrj0Qgo7A9
The central bank is moving forward with the new rules as the State Duma prepares comprehensive cryptocurrency regulation, underscoring that Russia’s approach is being shaped through both the regulator and the legislature.
Russia’s relationship with Bitcoin and crypto
The new rules do not specifically mention Bitcoin, but Russia has had a complicated relationship with the cryptocurrency.
Crypto has been illegal in Russia as a form of payment since 2022, although lawmakers have been open about using digital assets for international settlements.
President Vladimir Putin has also said Russia has “competitive advantages” in Bitcoin mining because of the country’s abundant cheap energy.
In 2023, the Russian legislature passed a bill legalizing the use of digital currency for international payments.
That move may have helped the country navigate international sanctions. The U.S. and European governments sanctioned Russia after it annexed Crimea in 2014, and Western nations have increased penalties since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
In December 2024, Putin suggested that Russia was already using Bitcoin specifically. Speaking at a forum in Moscow, he said that new technologies were emerging that could help people move money.
“For example, Bitcoin, who can ban it? Nobody,” he said at the time.
This post Bank of Russia Creates New Rules For Crypto Trading first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Mathew Di Salvo .