Russia’s Central Bank Sets 2026 Deadline for Cryptocurrency Framework

The Bank of Russia has unveiled a roadmap to consolidate its fragmented cryptocurrency regulations into a unified framework by mid-2026, signaling a shift from resistance to controlled adoption. The proposal, published December 23, introduces tiered access for retail and qualified investors—a move that could reshape Russia’s crypto landscape.

Retail investors face strict limits: annual purchases capped at 300,000 rubles (~$3,800) through approved intermediaries, with mandatory knowledge tests restricting them to pre-approved liquid tokens. Qualified investors escape volume restrictions but must still demonstrate risk awareness, barred only from anonymous privacy coins.

Notably, the central bank maintains its prohibition on crypto payments domestically, treating digital assets purely as speculative instruments. Enforcement mechanisms will phase in gradually, with penalties for illegal activity taking effect in 2027—a timeline suggesting deliberate, if cautious, institutional acceptance.