Russia Moves to Legalize Retail Crypto Trading with Landmark 2026 Legislation
Russia is poised to transform its cryptocurrency landscape with groundbreaking legislation set for debate in the 2026 spring parliamentary session. The bill, championed by Anatoly Aksakov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets, will remove bitcoin and other digital assets from "special financial regulation" status, integrating them into mainstream finance.
The legislation introduces a tiered access system with robust investor protections, including a 300,000 ruble ($3,250) annual investment cap for retail participants. This cautious liberalization follows years of regulatory hesitation, positioning Russia between China's prohibition and Western-style open markets.
Market analysts anticipate the MOVE could trigger significant capital inflows into major cryptocurrencies like BTC, ETH, and DOT, while Russian-focused projects may see disproportionate gains. The framework appears designed to funnel retail activity through regulated exchanges rather than peer-to-peer platforms.