Russia’s central bank has released a draft list of crypto assets that may become eligible for public trading on domestic exchanges, aiming to clarify the digital currency landscape under recently adopted regulations.
ETH
SOL
BSC
ROBINHOOD
USDT
AAPLBitcoin, Ether, USDT included in eligibility list
The initial list compiled by the Bank of Russia features Bitcoin, Ether, and Tether’s stablecoin USDT. These assets were selected based on criteria such as market capitalization, average daily trading volumes, and a minimum history of five years for price data on international markets. The central bank stated that these requirements are intended to ensure only established and widely recognized cryptocurrencies enter the regulated trading environment.
Mini dictionary: Bank of Russia – The central bank of the Russian Federation, responsible for monetary policy, financial regulation, and overseeing Russia’s banking sector.
Regulatory framework and investor limits
The proposal follows a new law signed on August 4 by President Vladimir Putin, granting the Bank of Russia expanded authority to determine which digital currencies can be legally traded on organized domestic platforms. The law also enables the central bank to set further rules for these digital assets and the procedures for their admission.
Under the newly proposed rules, non-qualified investors would be limited to purchasing up to 300,000 Russian rubles, approximately $3,650, in cryptocurrency per year via each intermediary, such as brokers, crypto exchanges, or asset management firms. However, qualified investors—those meeting certain financial and experience thresholds—would not face any cap on the amount of crypto assets they can buy on exchanges or over-the-counter markets.
| Investor Type | Annual Crypto Purchase Limit (per intermediary) |
|---|---|
| Non-qualified | 300,000 RUB ($3,650) |
| Qualified | No Limit |
Investor safeguards and next steps
All investors, regardless of their status, would be required to complete a risk awareness test before making any transactions involving crypto assets. The Bank of Russia emphasized that these investor protections are designed to shield non-qualified participants from the extreme price volatility often observed in digital currencies.
Before making transactions, all investors, regardless of their status, will have to pass a test and familiarize themselves with the risks of investing in crypto assets. These measures are in place to protect non-qualified investors from sharp and unpredictable fluctuations in crypto prices.
The central bank is currently soliciting public feedback on the proposed rules and eligible asset list through August 24. Market participants and other stakeholders are encouraged to submit their comments for consideration before the regulations are finalized.
In parallel regulatory efforts, Russian authorities have also increased their scrutiny of crypto trading activity. Recent enforcement actions include a crackdown on nine unlicensed crypto exchanges operating in the Moscow City financial district.
