Russia's cryptocurrency industry could begin operating within a formal legal framework before the end of 2026, according to the Central Bank of Russia (CBR). The central bank is preparing a package of regulations covering exchanges, digital repositories and market participants, with key supporting rules planned for adoption by the end of October.

Central Bank First Deputy Governor Vladimir Chistyukhin said regulators are working on the supporting rules needed for the country's new cryptocurrency framework, a substantial package of regulatory acts spanning different parts of the market. The development could bring crypto businesses that meet the requirements — including exchanges and entities responsible for recording rights to digital assets — into a clearer regulated environment. For those firms, the package would turn the new law into concrete operating requirements.

Central Bank Prepares Sweeping Regulatory Package

The CBR said the broader framework comprises 27 regulatory acts, with seven considered first-tier measures and another 20 categorized as second-tier measures. The regulator plans to adopt the second-tier acts by the end of October. The initial measures address areas including registries, qualification requirements, digital repositories and other elements needed for the market to operate. With 20 of the 27 acts due by October, most of the framework's supporting rules are on a near-term clock.

Russia's crypto law allows both qualified and non-qualified investors to conduct cryptocurrency transactions through intermediaries, although different limits and requirements apply. The Bank of Russia says the regulated infrastructure will include existing financial institutions as well as new crypto exchanges and digital repositories. That design ties investor participation to the regulated infrastructure being built, with intermediaries serving as the access point to the market.

NEW: Russia's crypto industry could begin operating legally by year-end, per the CBR. pic.twitter.com/vsZxaARpCg
— Cointelegraph (@Cointelegraph) September 22, 2026

Legal Crypto Market Could Start This Year

The latest comments suggest Russia's crypto regulation is moving from legislation toward practical implementation. The Bank of Russia has already developed requirements for organized crypto trading and digital repositories, and has also been working on rules intended to limit risks for banks with exposure to cryptocurrencies and foreign digital instruments. Together, the work covers both the market's core infrastructure and the points where crypto exposure reaches the banking system.

If the remaining regulatory work proceeds according to schedule, the Russian crypto industry could begin functioning within the new legal framework before the end of the year. The October deadline for the second-tier acts is the next milestone to watch, followed by the year-end target for the market's legal launch.

This article is based on reporting published by CoinoMedia on September 22, 2026.