Russia central bank proposes opening crypto trading for select local investors
Quick Take The Central Bank of Russia announced a new proposal to allow qualified investors to trade cryptocurrencies for a period of three years. The central bank stated that it still does not see crypto as a means of payment.
The Central Bank of the Russian Federation has announced a new proposal to allow qualified individuals to trade cryptocurrencies in a three-year experimental timeframe. The proposal has been submitted to the Russian government for further discussion.
According to a statement on Wednesday, the central bank designated "qualified" investors as those who hold over 100 million rubles ($11.5 million) in stock investments and deposits, or earned over 50 million rubles in income last year.
Companies that are qualified under applicable law are also eligible to participate in the experiment. The central bank added that it plans to establish regulatory requirements for interested financial organizations.
"[The experiment] is aimed at increasing the transparency of the cryptocurrency market, the formation of standards for the provision of services on it, [and] the expansion of investment opportunities for experienced investors who are ready to take on increased risks," the central bank said in a translated statement.
The new initiative may suggest the country's move towards a wider adoption of cryptocurrencies, years after President Vladimir Putin signed a law banning crypto asset payments in 2022.
However, the central bank clarified that it still does not recognize cryptocurrency as a measure of payment. Consequently, it plans to prohibit settlements outside of authorized participants in the program and impose penalties for violations.
Meanwhile, Russia has been exploring cryptocurrencies as a means to circumvent U.S. and EU sanctions, placed primarily as a response to its invasion of Ukraine. Chainalysis reported last year that the Russian central bank is leading efforts to develop financial infrastructure for the country to use crypto for international trade while evading Western sanctions.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
You may also like
LUNA +30.44% 7D as Network Improvements and Upcoming Sentencing Date Fuel Market Fluctuations
- Terraform Labs founder Do Kwon's sentencing hearing on Dec 11 intensified LUNA volatility, with 11.16% 24h drop amid legal uncertainty. - Terra network's v2.18 upgrade boosted LUNA by 250% in 10 days through performance improvements and Cosmos interoperability. - LUNC surged 116% weekly driven by viral social media nostalgia and accelerated token burns, highlighting community-driven sentiment. - Legal outcomes and technical upgrades remain dual drivers, with market volatility expected to persist until re

Why the COAI Index Is Plummeting and Its Implications for Technology Investors
- The COAI Index, tracking AI-focused crypto assets, has dropped 88% year-to-date in late 2025 due to deteriorating market sentiment, regulatory uncertainty, and sector volatility. - C3 AI , a key index constituent, reported a $116.8M net loss and 19% revenue decline in Q1 2025, compounded by a lawsuit and CEO departure. - Regulatory shifts, including the U.S. CLARITY Act and EU AI Act, created compliance burdens, deterring investment and straining smaller firms. - The index's 97% token concentration in to

The Rise of Dynamic Clean Energy Markets
- CleanTrade’s CFTC-approved SEF platform in 2025 revolutionizes clean energy markets by enabling transparent trading of VPPAs, PPAs, and RECs. - The platform addresses institutional barriers through standardized protocols, reducing counterparty risk and aligning with traditional energy exchange frameworks. - Within two months, it facilitated $16B in notional value, offering real-time liquidity and ESG-aligned tools to track carbon impact and prevent greenwashing. - Institutional investors now access diver

KITE Price Forecast Post-Listing: Understanding Institutional Attitudes and Market Fluctuations
- KITE's post-IPO price fell 63% by Nov 2025 amid divergent institutional strategies and retail sector uncertainty. - Analysts split between "Buy" ($30 target) and "Hold" ratings, citing operational gains vs. macro risks like the $3.4T deficit bill. - Q3 net loss (-$0.07 EPS) and 5,400% payout ratio highlight structural risks despite industrial real estate pivots and 7.4% dividend hike. - Institutional trading directly impacted price swings, with COHEN & STEERS' stake increase briefly stabilizing shares be
