Russia May Block Access to Foreign Crypto Exchanges After New Rules

Published at 2026-02-17 20:15:40

Industry sources warn that, after Moscow finalizes its domestic cryptocurrency trading rules in the coming months, the government may begin blocking access to foreign crypto exchanges. The move appears aimed at steering trading into regulated local venues and tightening oversight, though specifics of enforcement and timing remain unclear.

If implemented, access restrictions could squeeze liquidity on international platforms for Russian users, boost use of local exchanges and peer-to-peer markets, and increase reliance on VPNs or other circumvention tools. The development matters for traders, foreign exchanges with Russian clients, and global market liquidity; market participants should watch the final rule text and any technical measures regulators adopt to enforce access blocks.

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