Russian Exchanges Prepare for Official Crypto Trading Rollout

Russia’s primary financial hubs, the Moscow Exchange (MOEX) and the St. Petersburg Exchange, are gearing up to launch regulated cryptocurrency trading services. This transition is contingent on the finalization of a new legislative framework proposed by the Bank of Russia, designed to integrate digital assets into the formal economy under rigorous supervision.

Technical Readiness and Infrastructure

Both exchanges have confirmed they possess the necessary infrastructure to facilitate crypto transactions.

• MOEX noted that their existing systems for foreign exchange—specifically those handling clearing and settlement—are already compatible with the proposed crypto rules.
• St. Petersburg Exchange reported that its internal tools for digital products are ready for deployment.

While the technical foundation is set, both institutions stressed that operations will remain on hold until the legal mandates are officially enacted.

Key Regulatory Constraints

The Bank of Russia’s proposal introduces a tiered system to manage risk while providing market access:

• Retail Investors: Limited to trading only high-liquidity assets with an annual investment cap of 300,000 rubles.
• Professional Investors: Granted unlimited transaction volume but strictly prohibited from trading "anonymous" (privacy-focused) cryptocurrencies.
• Usage Restrictions: Cryptocurrency will retain its status as a high-risk asset and remains illegal for use as a domestic payment method.

Implementation Timeline

The legislative roadmap aims for a phased rollout:

1. July 1, 2026: Target date for finalizing all legislative amendments.
2. July 1, 2027: Enforcement of penalties for unauthorized intermediaries and illegal activity begins.

Major financial institutions are already proactive, testing compliance and custodial systems to prepare for a suite of new products, including spot trading and stablecoins. If successful, this framework is expected to migrate millions of users from "gray" informal markets into a transparent, licensed ecosystem.

December 2025, Cryptoniteuae