The main dishes to remember:
- The Russian Bank also offers a three-year narrow experimental phase to allow certain wealthy investors to exchange cryptocurrencies.
- If adopted, the proposal would help promote transparency and define directives for cryptographic service providers in Russia.
- Detail crypto payments will always be prohibited in the country, despite this decision.
Today, the Russian Bank plans a three -year pilot program This can allow certain Russian investors to exchange cryptocurrencies. This is a prudent but deep change in the way the country addresses the world of digital assets.
Crypto trading pilot program for eligible tokens
On March 12, 2025, the Russian bank said that it had submitted proposals to the government for the regulation of cryptocurrency investment on the basis of special instructions issued by the president. At the heart of the proposal, it is a “limited circle of Russian investors” to buy and sell cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC).
To qualify, investors must have at least $ 1.1 million in securities and deposits. This restriction aligns with the aim of limiting exposure to those which can afford the risks inherent in cryptographic assets. The proposal would also include possible sanctions if experimental legal architecture is raped.
Russian bank
Retail crypto still prohibited by Bank of Russia
Although allowing rich individuals to invest in the crypto, the central bank has not changed its firmly anti-Crypto-money position towards daily transactions. The Russian Bank said again that crypto payments cannot be made by other residents.
The ban on cryptographic payments stems from the initial law of the cryptography of Russia, entitled “on digital financial assets”, which entered into force in January 2021. The Russian bank stresses that it “Still not consider cryptocurrency as a means of payment.“Consequently, the proposal defines a general ban on the colonies between residents who involve crypto outside the experimental legal framework, with fines for offenders.
Although there are interior restrictions, Russia has been open to cross -border cryptographic establishments since at least 2022. In December 2024, Finance Minister Anton Solanov confirmed that Russia actively tested crypto for international trade under existing legislation.
What the Russian Bank says about regulatory change
According to the Russian Bank, the new approach is motivated by the need to improve transparency on the national cryptocurrency market. This decision aims to create clear standards for cryptographic asset service providers operating in Russia. It also aims to expand investment opportunities for experienced investors arranged to take the risk that accompanies it.
On numerous occasions, the Bank of Russia expressed its concern concerning the very volatile nature of cryptocurrencies and their lack of jurisdictional guarantees. They warn that investors “Must be aware that they take the risks of potential loss of their funds.“”
The Russian Bank will chase its own “microstrate”
In addition, the proposal seeks to allow qualified companies to be part of this experimental regime. For financial institutions interested in cryptographic investments, the Russian bank says that it will be “Establish regulatory requirements taking into account the level and nature of the risks of such an asset».
This opens the way to the emergence of a potential “Russian microstrategy” – a company that strategically holds Bitcoin as a reserve asset. In August 2020, Michael Saylor’s microstrategy became one of the first listed companies to adopt Bitcoin’s digital currency, and with this other companies began to adopt this strategy, notably Tesla by Elon Musk, the Metaplanet of Japan and the Brazilian Fintech Meliuz.
The 7 largest companies in Russia by market capitalization. Source: Companiesmarketcap
The Central Bank has also specified that investors who are not eligible for the experimental regime can still access derivative financial instruments, including digital securities and financial assets linked to the value of cryptocurrencies.
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The Russian Bank’s proposal is a nuanced approach to cryptocurrencies. However, it was aware of the risks and recognizes the potential of the crypto as an investment asset – for sophisticated investors. This experimental regime will be closely monitored and its results could considerably influence Russia’s long -term position on digital currencies.
