Russia Moves to Allow Crypto Seizures Ahead of Full Regulation
Russia's State Duma has advanced legislation enabling the confiscation of cryptocurrencies in criminal cases, even as comprehensive regulatory frameworks remain unfinished. The bill, approved by the parliamentary Committee on State Building, classifies digital assets as property under criminal law—closing a loophole that hindered investigations involving crypto.
The measure targets illicit activities like money laundering and terrorist financing. By summer, additional crypto-related laws are expected to pass, but authorities prioritize establishing seizure protocols first. This reflects growing institutional recognition of cryptocurrencies' role in global finance—despite regulatory uncertainties.