Russia's Central Bank Lets Investment Funds Trade Crypto Derivatives Next Year
Russia's central bank has confirmed that beginning early next year investment funds will be permitted to purchase cryptocurrency derivatives, a shift from the current regime where only brokers can offer these products. The announcement, made by a senior official, removes a key barrier for funds but leaves management companies explicitly banned from trading or distributing crypto-based derivatives for now.
The change could widen institutional channels and boost liquidity in Russia's crypto derivatives market, encouraging development of new products tailored to domestic investors. At the same time, regulators are keeping significant guardrails in place to limit systemic risk and capital flight, so market participants will be watching custody arrangements, compliance requirements and the pace of product rollouts before drawing conclusions about broader liberalization.