The Moscow Exchange, Russia’s largest trading platform, is preparing to enable cryptocurrency trading for its clients. Senior managing director Boris Blokhin recently confirmed that testing with professional market participants began in early October, with full operations expected to start in December.
Testing phase and regulatory framework
Blokhin explained that the exchange has worked closely with relevant partners to set up essential infrastructure, emphasizing that these preparations started over a week ago. Trading will take place using a partner settlement digital depository, where market participants will be able to open accounts.
According to Blokhin, the Moscow Exchange does not require new licenses or permits to initiate cryptocurrency trading. The move aligns with Russia’s recently implemented law on digital currencies and digital rights, which came into force in September and established formal guidelines for the sector.
This legal framework allows existing exchanges, brokers, and trust managers to facilitate crypto trading, while also introducing new players such as specialized crypto exchangers and digital depositories responsible for asset ownership records.
Qualified investors will be allowed to buy any cryptocurrency offered through both exchange and over-the-counter markets, with no set restrictions. Meanwhile, unqualified investors will be able to purchase bitcoin and stablecoins up to an annual limit of 300,000 rubles, or approximately $3,556, and only through authorized intermediaries.
Major institutions enter the crypto space
Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, received regulatory approval last month from the Bank of Russia to offer bitcoin custody services. The central bank authorized Sberbank to maintain digital currency record-keeping and facilitate transfers involving bitcoin and select other cryptocurrencies.
President Vladimir Putin has addressed Bitcoin directly in previous statements. In 2024, he remarked at a forum, “For example, Bitcoin, who can ban it? Nobody,” highlighting both an acceptance of the technology and the challenges of enforcing bans at a global scale.
Nevertheless, the Russian government continues to limit how citizens use cryptocurrencies within its borders. Since 2022, using digital assets as a form of payment has been prohibited, and most retail investors face strict annual purchase limits through a single intermediary.
Advanced market tools gain traction
In a rapidly changing market where a key Federal Reserve announcement or a sudden listing of an altcoin can alter prices in moments, traders have become increasingly reliant on unified tools to stay ahead. Many investors now utilize privacy-focused platforms like CryptoAppsy to bring real-time charts, news updates, price alerts, and macroeconomic data together in one place. Notably, these services operate without mandatory account registration, enabling investors to monitor crypto and traditional financial markets in real time on a single dashboard.
The introduction of digital currency trading on the Moscow Exchange is part of a broader trend, as Russia continues to formalize its stance on crypto assets while keeping close oversight on transaction and investment limits for its citizens.
President Putin further reinforced this regulatory direction in October by signing legislation that codified rules around digital currencies and digital rights, providing greater clarity for both institutions and retail market participants.
