Russia Plans to Block Foreign Crypto Exchanges by Summer 2026
Russia is advancing regulatory measures to restrict access to foreign cryptocurrency exchanges by mid-2026, aiming to shift trading activity to domestically supervised platforms. The MOVE targets an estimated $15 billion in annual fees currently flowing to international exchanges, with policymakers drafting legislation to formalize licensing and oversight for Russian crypto exchanges.
Daily crypto transactions in Russia reportedly exceed 50 billion rubles, involving millions of residents. Authorities view much of this activity as inadequately monitored. The Moscow Exchange has highlighted significant outbound payments to global platforms, prompting efforts to retain revenue and strengthen control over digital asset flows.