Bank Of Russia Sets Terms For Crypto Trading From 22nd November
The Bank of Russia says exchanges need its agreement to their trading rules, while Moscow Exchange plans a 1st December start.
Exchanges can begin cryptocurrency trading from 22nd November 2026 if the Bank of Russia agrees to their trading rules, the regulator said in an 11th November notice.
The Bank of Russia said the Ministry of Justice had registered its ordinance governing organised cryptocurrency trading.
Moscow Exchange has announced a later target. In a press release dated 2nd November, it said it planned to offer digital currency transactions from 1st December 2026, beginning with pilot deals and adding participants as they become ready. That is the exchange's stated plan, rather than confirmation that its trading rules have received regulatory agreement.
Under the requirements described in the Bank of Russia's latest notice, exchanges must register trading participants, including brokers, maintain records of orders and transactions, and monitor trading. They must also calculate price indicators, including market and closing prices, and report trading activity to the regulator using the procedure for other assets.
A separate Bank of Russia notice dated 6th November approved an asset list for non-qualified investors, whose purchases face restrictions on eligible assets and annual spending. It includes Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Tether (USDT). The regulator says the related ordinance takes effect on 17th November 2026 and allows those assets to be publicly traded on exchanges from that date.
The 6th November notice concerns the permitted assets. The 11th November notice sets the terms for exchange trading from 22nd November. The asset list's effective date therefore does not establish that an exchange will open trading on 17th November; for comparison, see our report on Brazil's separate crypto deadlines.
For these investors, the 6th November notice allows purchases through intermediaries such as brokers, both on exchanges and directly outside them. For each investor in this group, the annual cryptocurrency purchase limit is RUB 300,000 through any one intermediary.
The notice places no restrictions on access to cryptoassets for investors classed as qualified. Before making a transaction, investors in both groups must pass the required test and read the information on the risks of investing in cryptocurrency.
