Russia Poised to Allow Ordinary Citizens to Invest in Crypto, Regulators Say

Published at 2025-12-30 18:00:09

A senior official at a Moscow-based financial regulator said ordinary Russian citizens will be able to invest in cryptocurrencies under upcoming rules, describing such investments as now “possible.” Details remain under discussion and are expected to include restrictions and compliance requirements; regulators have not published a timeline. The statement represents a notable policy shift from earlier, more restrictive stances and signals that authorities are moving to bring retail crypto activity into a legal framework.

The move could broaden domestic retail demand while steering activity toward licensed platforms and tightened AML controls. Market access, custody rules and limits on cross-border flows are likely to be central in the final text, which will determine how much retail participation is actually enabled. Watch for draft regulations and commentary from the central bank and parliament next year, as those reactions will shape the practical impact on exchanges, investors and Russia’s broader financial stability stance.

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