Bank of Russia Proposes Allowing Bitcoin and Ethereum Trading on Licensed Domestic Exchanges

According to Bourse News, Russia's central bank published a draft regulation on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 (20 Mordad 1405) that would allow trading of Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether on the country's official exchanges, following President Vladimir Putin's signing of a law formally legalizing crypto trading in Russia. Under the proposed framework, retail investors (about 98 percent of Russia's crypto market participants) would need to pass a qualifying test before trading starting September 1, and their annual purchase limit through licensed intermediaries would be capped at 300,000 rubles (about $3,690), while qualified investors could trade without that limit.

The central bank said it chose the three assets because each has at least five years of price history on foreign trading platforms, high liquidity and significant market value. Under the framework, digital assets could be used to settle cross border transactions but would remain banned as a domestic means of payment. The public comment period runs through August 24, with the rules set to take effect September 1.