Russia to Launch Crypto Exchange for Qualified Investors Under Experimental Regime

Russia’s Finance Ministry and Central Bank are advancing plans to establish a cryptocurrency exchange tailored for highly qualified investors. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov confirmed the initiative during an extended board meeting, marking another step in the country’s cautious embrace of digital assets.

The move follows September’s legislation permitting cryptocurrency use in foreign settlements under a pilot program. By March, the Central Bank had sought approval through the Experimental Legal Regime (ELR) to enable crypto investments exclusively for qualified investors—individuals with either 100 million ruble deposits or annual incomes exceeding 50 million rubles.

"Together with the Central Bank," Siluanov stated, signaling coordinated regulatory oversight for the proposed platform. The development reflects Russia’s balancing act between financial innovation and controlled adoption in digital asset markets.