The Moscow Exchange plans to launch cryptocurrency trading by the end of 2026. This was announced by Igor Marich, a representative of the Moscow Exchange Group, at the Central Bank's Financial Congress.
According to him, the exchange will be ready to offer participants the possibility of cryptocurrency transactions immediately after the law and the necessary subordinate regulations are adopted.
The legal framework for digital currencies in Russia has not yet been approved. Bill No. 1194918-8 was passed by the State Duma in the first reading on April 21, but it had not been finally adopted by July 1. The second and third readings are expected to take place before the end of the spring session, by July 27.
Marich noted that a fully-fledged Russian cryptocurrency market will likely begin to take shape in 2027. Market participants will need time to integrate the new product into their client services.
The current regulatory concept envisages a limit for non-qualified investors—up to 300,000 rubles per year through a single intermediary. Within this limit, they will have access only to cryptocurrencies from the Central Bank’s list. It is expected that this list will include Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT, and USDC.
Qualified investors will be able to buy any cryptocurrencies except anonymous ones. At the same time, settlements in cryptocurrencies within Russia will remain prohibited.