Russia’s Finance Ministry to Offer Crypto Trading to ’Highly-Qualified’ Investors

Russia’s finance ministry and central bank are preparing to launch a cryptocurrency exchange exclusively for "highly-qualified" investors, according to Interfax. The move aims to legitimize digital assets and integrate crypto operations into the regulated financial system.

Finance Minister Anton Siluanov emphasized the initiative will operate under an experimental legal regime (ELR), a pilot program proposed by the Central Bank of Russia in March. The framework restricts participation to individuals with investments exceeding 100 million rubles ($1.2 million) or annual income above 50 million rubles ($600,000).

This development signals Russia’s cautious embrace of cryptocurrency markets while maintaining strict controls. The ELR structure suggests a phased approach to crypto adoption, initially targeting institutional and high-net-worth participants before potential broader access.