Regulatory Bodies
Regulatory body data collection in progress for Russia. Our AI research workers are actively gathering this information.
Operating Models
0/9 verdictsCan specific business models operate in Russia? Each card answers the operational question for one kind of operator. Curated cells reflect counsel-grade review; AI-generated cells should be confirmed before relying on them.
No verdict yet — falls back to topic articles below.
No verdict yet — falls back to topic articles below.
No verdict yet — falls back to topic articles below.
No verdict yet — falls back to topic articles below.
No verdict yet — falls back to topic articles below.
No verdict yet — falls back to topic articles below.
No verdict yet — falls back to topic articles below.
No verdict yet — falls back to topic articles below.
No verdict yet — falls back to topic articles below.
Primary Legislation
| Law / Regulation | Year | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| **Rosfinmonitoring (Federal Financial Monitoring Service):** Russia's lead agenc | 2026 | **Rosfinmonitoring (Federal Financial Monitoring Service):** Russia's lead agency for combating money laundering and ter... |
| Comprehensive bill “On Digital Currency and Digital Rights” for State Duma submi | 2026 | Comprehensive bill “On Digital Currency and Digital Rights” for State Duma submission: Covers licensing, caps, infrastru... |
Licensing Requirements
Digital depositories are required to maintain records of rights to cryptoassets, register wallets, and face restrictions like prohibiting lending of client coins to others.[2] (https://forklog.com/en/the-end-of-shadow-trading-russias-forthcoming-crypto-market-rules/)
Custodial service providers, including banks like Sberbank, must comply with prudential requirements; Sberbank proposed custody services to the central bank, treating crypto assets similarly to bank deposits with mechanisms for freezing suspicious assets.[3] (https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/27079019931473)
Exchanges and exchangers with monthly turnover ≥3.5 million rubles can serve users directly, while smaller ones must use licensed intermediaries; all must be licensed or registered with the Bank of Russia.[2][4] (https://forklog.com/en/the-end-of-shadow-trading-russias-forthcoming-crypto-market-rules/; https://crypto.news/russia-clears-draft-laws-to-tighten-crypto-trading-and-limit-retail-participation/)
AML/KYC Requirements
No verified facts yet. 5 unverified fact(s) in explorer
Travel Rule
No verified facts yet. 5 unverified fact(s) in explorer
Tax Reporting
**Individuals**: 13% on total annual income (including crypto profits) up to 2.4 million RUB; 15% on the excess. Non-residents face a flat 30% on Russian-sourced profits.[1][2][3]
**Businesses**: 25% corporate profit tax on crypto-related income (increased from 20% in 2024).[1][2]
Crypto mining and trading/sales are **exempt from VAT**.[1][2][3][4]
Income from mined coins is still subject to PIT or corporate tax.[1]
**Individuals**: Report all taxable crypto income on annual tax returns (3-NDFL form). Transactions exceeding 600,000 RUB (~$6,500 USD) trigger monitoring, but all profits must be declared regardless. Track purchase/sale dates and RUB values per transaction to calculate net profit.[3][5]
**Businesses/Miners**: Mining operators must report to local authorities and the Federal Tax Service database (launched November 2024). Large transactions (≥45 million RUB over two of three years) require reporting or risk fines/prison.[1][2][4][5]
**Key Law**: Federal law signed November 29, 2024, amending the Tax Code to recognize digital currencies as property, introduce taxes, and exempt VAT on mining/trading (effective 2025).[2][4]
Custody Requirements
Custody regulation data collection in progress.
Stablecoin Regulation
No verified facts yet. 5 unverified fact(s) in explorer
Securities Classification
Securities classification data collection in progress.
Sanctions & Restrictions
Sanctions data collection in progress.
Research & Articles
Regulatory Forecast
high confidenceLikely regulatory action expected around 2026-10-08
Based on 112 historical regulatory events for Russia, averaging every 99 days, with increasing regulatory activity.
Recent Updates
**Bank of Russia (Central Bank of the Russian Federation):** Establishes AML regulations for financial institutions, ...
**Bank of Russia (Central Bank of the Russian Federation):** Establishes AML regulations for financial institutions, supervises compliance, issues and revokes licenses based on AML adherence, and provides guidance on AML best practices[2]. The Bank also proposes crypto-specific rules and maintains registration of digital financial asset operators[1].
**Exchanges**: Licensed entities with Russian legal status (crypto exchanges, brokers, fiduciary managers) are requir...
**Exchanges**: Licensed entities with Russian legal status (crypto exchanges, brokers, fiduciary managers) are required. Banks and brokers can obtain crypto exchange licenses via a simplified **notification process** tied to existing financial permits, subject to prudential requirements set by the Bank of Russia.[3][4]
**Custody Providers**: Specialized **digital depositories** must be licensed or registered in the Bank of Russia's re...
**Custody Providers**: Specialized **digital depositories** must be licensed or registered in the Bank of Russia's register to maintain records of cryptoasset rights and register wallets. They face restrictions like no lending of client assets and no liability for blockchain malfunctions or issuer blocks.[3][1][2][5]
**Payment Processors/Exchangers**: Exchangers (for crypto-fiat or crypto-crypto conversions) require inclusion in the...
**Payment Processors/Exchangers**: Exchangers (for crypto-fiat or crypto-crypto conversions) require inclusion in the Bank of Russia's register. Those with monthly turnover ≥3.5 million rubles can serve users directly; below that, they must use licensed intermediaries. Platforms without Russian licenses are illegal.[3][1]
**Capital**: Not explicitly detailed in available sources; prudential requirements apply to banks/brokers, varying by...
**Capital**: Not explicitly detailed in available sources; prudential requirements apply to banks/brokers, varying by turnover and operations (e.g., for exchangers).[3][4]
**AML/KYC**: Implied through mandatory intermediary routing, de-anonymization procedures, transaction monitoring, and...
**AML/KYC**: Implied through mandatory intermediary routing, de-anonymization procedures, transaction monitoring, and tax reporting. Retail users must pass a Bank of Russia competency test; residents report foreign wallets/transactions to tax authorities.[1][3][5][7]
Draft bills on digital currencies/digital rights, approved by government and introduced by **Ministry of Finance** (M...
Draft bills on digital currencies/digital rights, approved by government and introduced by **Ministry of Finance** (Minfin): Channel trades through intermediaries; no direct URL in sources, referenced via [2].
**Bank of Russia** register for exchangers/depositories and prudential rules: Licensing/notification for exchanges; c...
**Bank of Russia** register for exchangers/depositories and prudential rules: Licensing/notification for exchanges; competency tests: Implicit in [3][4].
**Digital currency** (e.g., Bitcoin) is not classified as a payment-type digital right and remains a "monetary surrog...
**Digital currency** (e.g., Bitcoin) is not classified as a payment-type digital right and remains a "monetary surrogate" (prohibited for issuance under Central Bank Law). [2][4]
Issuance of DFAs must occur via **approved information systems** (operators coordinated with the Central Bank of Russ...
Issuance of DFAs must occur via **approved information systems** (operators coordinated with the Central Bank of Russia - CBR). [3]
Rules are set by system operators/exchanges, approved by CBR (Article 7, DFA Law). [3]
Rules are set by system operators/exchanges, approved by CBR (Article 7, DFA Law). [3]
**Overseers**: Bank of Russia (rules, supervision), Rosfinmonitoring (AML/CFT), Federal Tax Service (reporting/taxati...
**Overseers**: Bank of Russia (rules, supervision), Rosfinmonitoring (AML/CFT), Federal Tax Service (reporting/taxation), State Duma (legislation).[4]
**Bank of Russia (Central Bank of Russia)**: Primary regulator; proposes/implements rules, supervises financial insti...
**Bank of Russia (Central Bank of Russia)**: Primary regulator; proposes/implements rules, supervises financial institutions, registers digital financial asset (DFA) operators, establishes experimental regimes, and bans domestic crypto payments.[1][2]
**2024 Law**: Permits digital currency payments in international trade to bypass sanctions, creating an exception to ...
**2024 Law**: Permits digital currency payments in international trade to bypass sanctions, creating an exception to the domestic ban.[1]
**Proposed 2026 Framework (to be adopted 2026, retail implementation by July 1, 2026)**: Legalizes buying/selling dig...
**Proposed 2026 Framework (to be adopted 2026, retail implementation by July 1, 2026)**: Legalizes buying/selling digital currencies and stablecoins as monetary assets for retail/qualified investors under tests/caps; allows licensed financial firms (exchanges, brokers) to offer services; permits purchases abroad via foreign accounts with tax reporting; prohibits privacy coins.[2][5]
**Adoption and effective date:** No adoption or effective date; Russia's FATF suspension requires it to still meet st...
**Adoption and effective date:** No adoption or effective date; Russia's FATF suspension requires it to still meet standards in theory, but no evidence of legislative action specific to the Travel Rule for VASPs exists in available data.[1][3]
**Penalties for non-compliance:** None specified for Russia; globally, many jurisdictions lack enforcement frameworks...
**Penalties for non-compliance:** None specified for Russia; globally, many jurisdictions lack enforcement frameworks despite laws (59% without actions as of 2025).[3]
Custodial service providers, including banks like Sberbank, must comply with prudential requirements; Sberbank propos...
Custodial service providers, including banks like Sberbank, must comply with prudential requirements; Sberbank proposed custody services to the central bank, treating crypto assets similarly to bank deposits with mechanisms for freezing suspicious assets.[3] (https://www.binance.com/en/square/post/27079019931473)
Exchanges and exchangers with monthly turnover ≥3.5 million rubles can serve users directly, while smaller ones must ...
Exchanges and exchangers with monthly turnover ≥3.5 million rubles can serve users directly, while smaller ones must use licensed intermediaries; all must be licensed or registered with the Bank of Russia.[2][4] (https://forklog.com/en/the-end-of-shadow-trading-russias-forthcoming-crypto-market-rules/; https://crypto.news/russia-clears-draft-laws-to-tighten-crypto-trading-and-limit-retail-participation/)
**Mandatory licensing for intermediaries**: Covers digital exchanges, custodial services, trading platforms, and DFA ...
**Mandatory licensing for intermediaries**: Covers digital exchanges, custodial services, trading platforms, and DFA operators; banks, brokers, and securities firms can provide services after authorization. [1][2][3][5][6][8]
**Simplified process for banks/brokers**: Existing financial institutions may use a "notification process" tied to cu...
**Simplified process for banks/brokers**: Existing financial institutions may use a "notification process" tied to current banking licenses, rather than full standalone applications. [3]
**Criminal liability for unlicensed operations**: Entities organizing digital currency circulation without Bank of Ru...
**Criminal liability for unlicensed operations**: Entities organizing digital currency circulation without Bank of Russia approval face fines ($1,300–$13,000), up to 4–7 years imprisonment, or forced labor; applies to exchanges and large operators. [4][7]
**Registration as DFA operators**: Russian banks/exchanges must register with Bank of Russia, which maintains the reg...
**Registration as DFA operators**: Russian banks/exchanges must register with Bank of Russia, which maintains the registry and supervises operations. [5][6]
Submitting applications/notifications to Bank of Russia for licensing/registration as DFA operators or intermediaries...
Submitting applications/notifications to Bank of Russia for licensing/registration as DFA operators or intermediaries. [1][2][3][5]
Bank of Russia approves "highly liquid" cryptos for retail and enforces via registry maintenance. [1][2]
Bank of Russia approves "highly liquid" cryptos for retail and enforces via registry maintenance. [1][2]
**Oversight bodies**: Bank of Russia (licensing/supervision), Rosfinmonitoring (transaction reporting), Federal Tax S...
**Oversight bodies**: Bank of Russia (licensing/supervision), Rosfinmonitoring (transaction reporting), Federal Tax Service (tax compliance). [5][6]
**DFAs** are defined as digital rights to monetary claims, rights to participate in the capital of a non-profit organ...
**DFAs** are defined as digital rights to monetary claims, rights to participate in the capital of a non-profit organization, rights to demand transfer of securities, or rights to tangible property (e.g., tokenized real assets), but explicitly excluding Russian rubles, foreign currencies, or uncertificated securities.[1] https://www.morganlewis.com/-/media/files/publication/outside-publication/chapter/2021/legal-500-guide_russia-blockchain.pdf
Crypto tokens generally are treated as **property** (not currency or monetary surrogates), per Supreme Court rulings ...
Crypto tokens generally are treated as **property** (not currency or monetary surrogates), per Supreme Court rulings and amendments, enabling their recognition in civil and criminal contexts like laundering cases under Criminal Code Articles 174 and 174.1.[1][4] https://www.morganlewis.com/-/media/files/publication/outside-publication/chapter/2021/legal-500-guide_russia-blockchain.pdf https://news.bitcoin.com/russias-supreme-court-moves-to-classify-crypto-as-property/
Pure utility or payment tokens (e.g., many cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin) are **not securities** but DFAs or property...
Pure utility or payment tokens (e.g., many cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin) are **not securities** but DFAs or property, subject to DFA rules if issued domestically; they cannot be used for domestic payments (ban persists) but are allowed for international trade post-2024 laws.[2][5] https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/russias-cryptocurrency-legislated-sanctions-evasion/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_cryptocurrency_by_country_or_territory
**DFA issuance**: Must occur via a Russian information system operator; trading only on approved Russian exchanges. N...
**DFA issuance**: Must occur via a Russian information system operator; trading only on approved Russian exchanges. No direct Central Bank of Russia (CBR) registration for DFAs, but operators are regulated.[1][2] https://www.morganlewis.com/-/media/files/publication/outside-publication/chapter/2021/legal-500-guide_russia-blockchain.pdf https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/russias-cryptocurrency-legislated-sanctions-evasion/
Mining and cross-border crypto use (post-August 2024 laws): Register with Rosfinmonitoring, report wallets to securit...
Mining and cross-border crypto use (post-August 2024 laws): Register with Rosfinmonitoring, report wallets to security services; no securities registration needed unless tokens qualify as such.[2] https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/russias-cryptocurrency-legislated-sanctions-evasion/
General crypto operations remain fragmented with prohibitions on domestic payments and surrogates (Central Bank Law A...
General crypto operations remain fragmented with prohibitions on domestic payments and surrogates (Central Bank Law Article 27).[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_cryptocurrency_by_country_or_territory
Pre-2020 court cases rarely treated crypto as property with unclear precedent value; post-DFA Law, enforcement focuse...
Pre-2020 court cases rarely treated crypto as property with unclear precedent value; post-DFA Law, enforcement focuses on unregistered DFA issuance and sanctions evasion via crypto.[1][2] https://www.morganlewis.com/-/media/files/publication/outside-publication/chapter/2021/legal-500-guide_russia-blockchain.pdf https://www.chainalysis.com/blog/russias-cryptocurrency-legislated-sanctions-evasion/
CBR warnings (2017-2022): Blocked bitcoin sites, deemed operations speculative/high-risk; proposed full bans (rejecte...
CBR warnings (2017-2022): Blocked bitcoin sites, deemed operations speculative/high-risk; proposed full bans (rejected 2022).[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_cryptocurrency_by_country_or_territory
**Regulator/Enforcement Body:** Investigative Committee of Armenia, Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia, often in ...
**Regulator/Enforcement Body:** Investigative Committee of Armenia, Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia, often in cooperation with law enforcement agencies from other countries (e.g., Russia, Georgia, US).
**Basis:** The EU implements sanctions to pursue its foreign and security policy objectives, often reflecting UN Secu...
**Basis:** The EU implements sanctions to pursue its foreign and security policy objectives, often reflecting UN Security Council resolutions, but also adopting autonomous sanctions (e.g., against Russia, Belarus, specific regimes, terrorism). These are binding on all EU citizens and entities. Given Côte d'Ivoire's historical ties to Europe, many VASPs in the region may have EU connections, clients, or partners.
**DFAs** are defined under Federal Law No. 259-FZ “On Digital Financial Assets” (effective January 1, 2021) as digita...
**DFAs** are defined under Federal Law No. 259-FZ “On Digital Financial Assets” (effective January 1, 2021) as digital rights to monetary claims, rights to participate in the capital of a non-profit organization, rights to demand transfer of securities, or rights to tangible property (e.g., tokenized real assets), explicitly excluding Russian rubles, foreign currencies, and uncertificated securities. Morgan Lewis Legal 500 Guide - Russia Blockchain
Crypto tokens are generally treated as **property** (not currency or monetary surrogates) under Russian law. This cla...
Crypto tokens are generally treated as **property** (not currency or monetary surrogates) under Russian law. This classification was established by law rather than solely by Supreme Court rulings. The Digital Financial Assets Law (No. 259-FZ) defines digital currency as property, and the Supreme Court of Russia in February 2019 classified crime-acquired cryptocurrencies as property for the purposes of money laundering prosecutions under Criminal Code Articles 174 and 174.1, in alignment with FATF Recommendation 15. Morgan Lewis Legal 500 Guide - Russia Blockchain News Bitcoin - Russian Supreme Court Classifies Crypto as Property
Under these laws, miners must register with Rosfinmonitoring and report wallets to security services; no securities r...
Under these laws, miners must register with Rosfinmonitoring and report wallets to security services; no securities registration needed unless tokens qualify as such. Chainalysis Blog - Russia's Cryptocurrency Legislated Sanctions Evasion
Regarding the timeline for cross-border settlements: The experimental legal regime for cross-border settlements using...
Regarding the timeline for cross-border settlements: The experimental legal regime for cross-border settlements using digital currency is currently governed by draft legislation. As of April 2026, there is no officially enacted law that provides a specific "April 2026" implementation date for a comprehensive cross-border settlement regime. The implementation date is an estimation based on legislative discussions, not a firm deadline in enacted law. The Central Bank of Russia and Ministry of Finance continue to develop the framework, but no precise legal act has confirmed this date for cross-border settlements specifically. TASS - Russian lawmakers discuss crypto cross-border settlements Interfax - Russia's cross-border crypto settlement experimentation
Chainalysis Blog - Russia's Cryptocurrency Legislated Sanctions Evasion
Chainalysis Blog - Russia's Cryptocurrency Legislated Sanctions Evasion
This profile is maintained by AI research workers and updated regularly. Connect via MCP for programmatic access.