Starting September 1, 2026, cryptocurrencies and digital rights in Russia are regulated under updated rules: the regulations for digital depositories, crypto exchanges, investors, participants in foreign trade settlements, and operators working with digital assets have changed.
The legal regulation has been updated based on the Federal Law of the Russian Federation dated August 4, 2026 No. 283-FZ and Federal Law dated August 4, 2026 No. 282-FZ ‘On Digital Currencies and Digital Rights.’ These provisions set a new procedure for the circulation of cryptocurrency, digital rights, and related instruments.
The changes affect several areas:
- digital depositories and crypto exchanges — the procedure for the operation of these market participants;
- digital rights — execution, analysis, and admission to organized trading;
- cryptocurrency transactions — the conditions for their execution;
- enforcement proceedings — the write-off of digital currencies and debtor rights.
What Is Now Prohibited in Settlements
Digital currencies and digital rights cannot be accepted as a means of payment, counter-provision, or any other form of actual payment. The ban applies to:
- payment for goods;
- payment for information;
- payment for intellectual property results;
- payment for exclusive rights;
- payment for work;
- payment for services.
In other words, cryptocurrency does not become a regular payment instrument within the country. Currency in digital form may be used in cases provided by law, but does not replace standard payment methods where it is expressly prohibited.
Who Will Join the Regulated Infrastructure
The new crypto asset circulation infrastructure will include:
- existing financial organizations;
- crypto exchanges;
- digital depositories.
Through crypto exchanges, it will be possible to buy and sell cryptocurrency. Digital depositories will handle the accounting of rights to such assets. In addition, cryptocurrency transactions may be conducted through brokers and managers, including on organized trading platforms.
The law also opens up the possibility of exchanging cryptocurrency for securities and digital instruments issued under Russian law. In this area, digital financial assets become part of a broader system related to the securities market and civil law rules.
The same regime is provided for foreign stablecoins as for cryptocurrencies. The state thus extends a unified approach to different forms of digital currency if they are used as a financial asset.
What Rules Are Introduced for Investors and Businesses
Non-qualified investors will be able to purchase the most liquid cryptocurrencies only after testing and within a limit set by the Bank of Russia. Qualified investors will have access to the full list of cryptocurrencies traded on exchange and over-the-counter markets without such restrictions, but also after testing and familiarization with the risks of investing in crypto assets.
Exporters and importers will be able to use cryptocurrency for cross-border settlements without restrictions. Such settlements are allowed both through intermediaries and directly, for all types of wallets and cryptocurrencies.
Residents will be able to conduct cryptocurrency transactions outside Russia using foreign bank accounts. It is also permitted to transfer cryptocurrency purchased in Russia abroad through regulated intermediaries. At the same time, the presence of cryptocurrency accounted for abroad must be reported to tax authorities.
Russian digital rights can now be issued not only on the operator’s information system platform but also on public networks. Transactions with digital financial assets are allowed through intermediaries and on organized trading platforms.
For the digital economy, these provisions are also important because the right to a digital asset, its accounting, circulation, and possible write-off in enforcement proceedings receive clearer legal frameworks. At the same time, securities, digital instruments, and assets in accounting retain different modes of accounting and circulation, which market participants need to consider separately.
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