Putin Signs Historic Crypto Law: Limits Imposed on Retail Investors
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a historic law that establishes a legal framework for the cryptocurrency market and grants retail investors permission to trade with specific limits.
Leaving behind its long-standing distance toward cryptocurrencies, Russia is entering a period of controlled liberalization. The new law signed by President Vladimir Putin establishes clear rules for cryptocurrency exchanges, custody services, intermediaries, and investors in the country. This move is seen as Russia’s most concrete step toward integrating digital assets into the economic system and bringing the market under government supervision.
Under the new regulation, retail investors will be able to purchase a maximum of 300,000 rubles (approximately $3,700) worth of cryptocurrency annually. No purchase limits will apply to those with “qualified investor” status. Both categories of investors will be required to pass a special suitability test. Additionally, retail investors can be upgraded to “qualified” status based on their crypto transaction history. Cryptocurrency exchanges, on the other hand, will be required to register in a “special registry” and maintain a minimum equity of 15 million rubles (approximately $185,200) to operate.
Crypto Era in Foreign Trade and Payment Bans
The law continues to prohibit the use of cryptocurrencies as a means of payment within Russia. However, to mitigate the impact of Western sanctions, payments in cryptocurrency are officially permitted in foreign trade contracts. Russia’s flexible stance toward crypto use in international trade since 2024 has gained a legal foundation with this law.
While most of the regulations will go into effect on September 1, 2026, the implementation of some provisions regarding the issuance and circulation of digital assets will be delayed until September 1, 2027. Existing exchanges are given until March 1, 2027, to comply with the new rules, while the government’s oversight of cryptocurrency mining continues to tighten in certain regions.