Russia to Shift Crypto Trading to Domestic Platforms by 2026
Russia is set to block access to foreign cryptocurrency exchanges by summer 2026, redirecting trading activity to regulated domestic platforms. The MOVE aims to stem an estimated $15 billion annual outflow in fees paid by Russian users to offshore exchanges. Sergey Shvetsov of Moscow Exchange's Supervisory Board framed the policy as a financial sovereignty measure, noting current regulations allow capital to "flow through our fingers like sand."
Enforcement will leverage DNS blocking and internet traffic monitoring, with non-compliant foreign exchanges facing restrictions under data localization laws. The transition coincides with upcoming cryptocurrency legislation replacing Russia's interim regulatory framework. Market analysts suggest the policy may accelerate development of local exchange infrastructure while potentially isolating Russian crypto traders from global liquidity pools.
