{"id":587971,"date":"2026-04-22T13:57:05","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T13:57:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/Blockchain.News\/news\/russia-crypto-bill-first-reading"},"modified":"2026-04-22T13:57:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T13:57:05","slug":"russia-advances-crypto-bill-as-first-reading-passes-state-duma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-bitco.in\/index.php\/2026\/04\/22\/russia-advances-crypto-bill-as-first-reading-passes-state-duma\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia Advances Crypto Bill as First Reading Passes State Duma"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Lawrence Jengar<\/a> Apr 22, 2026 13:57<\/span> <\/p>\n

Russia’s parliament moves forward with a crypto bill mandating licensed intermediaries and imposing strict penalties on unregistered platforms.<\/p>\n

\"Russia <\/a> <\/figure>\n

Russia\u2019s State Duma has approved the first reading of a sweeping crypto<\/a> regulation bill, setting the stage for significant changes to the country\u2019s digital asset market. The draft legislation, titled \u201cOn Digital Currency and Digital Rights\u201d (Bill No. 1194918-8), proposes channeling all cryptocurrency transactions through licensed intermediaries under the supervision of the Bank of Russia. If passed into law, these rules could take effect as early as July 2026, with unlicensed platforms<\/a> banned outright starting July 2027.<\/p>\n

The bill, along with three related proposals, aims to establish a regulated crypto ecosystem while introducing investment caps for retail traders, mandatory regulatory compliance, and strict penalties for violations. Retail investors, for instance, would face a purchase limit of 300,000 rubles (approximately $4,000) annually through any single licensed intermediary. Only \u201cmost liquid digital currencies\u201d\u2014those with a market cap exceeding 5 trillion rubles ($66.6 billion) and a five-year trading history\u2014would qualify for trading under the proposed rules.<\/p>\n

Criminal Penalties Face Pushback<\/h2>\n

A related proposal, Bill No. 1209607-8, seeks to impose criminal penalties on operators of unregistered crypto services, including imprisonment and fines. However, the Russian Supreme Court has expressed reservations about this measure, calling it premature given the absence of a fully adopted regulatory framework. Critics argue that pushing for criminal enforcement without clear guidelines could lead to confusion and unintended consequences for the burgeoning sector.<\/p>\n

Russia\u2019s approach to cryptocurrency regulation has shifted markedly in recent years. While crypto ownership and trading remain legal, domestic payments using digital assets are prohibited. The Bank of Russia has taken a central role in shaping the country\u2019s digital currency policies, including its rollout of the digital ruble. Recent legislative efforts build on a 2023 framework that formally recognized cryptocurrencies as property, but the new bills aim to tighten oversight further.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s at Stake?<\/h2>\n

These developments are part of a broader strategy to reduce the crypto market\u2019s \u201cgrey zone,\u201d align with anti-financial crime initiatives, and mitigate risks to consumers. However, industry participants warn that over-regulation could have the opposite effect, driving crypto activity underground rather than encouraging compliance. The emphasis on licensed intermediaries also raises questions about the future of peer-to-peer trading in Russia.<\/p>\n

For international observers, Russia\u2019s crypto policies are particularly significant given the geopolitical backdrop of sanctions. While domestic crypto use remains tightly controlled, digital assets are reportedly being explored as a tool for cross-border transactions and international trade.<\/p>\n

Next Steps<\/h2>\n

The bill must pass additional readings before becoming law, meaning its final provisions could still change. Meanwhile, the Bank of Russia is likely to play a pivotal role in defining which assets qualify as \u201cmost liquid\u201d and setting compliance standards.<\/p>\n

As global crypto markets watch Russia\u2019s regulatory moves closely, traders should keep an eye on potential enforcement timelines and any shifts in market accessibility. If implemented, these laws could reshape the dynamics of crypto trading across one of the largest markets in Eastern Europe.<\/p>\n

Image source: Shutterstock<\/i><\/span> Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lawrence Jengar Apr 22, 2026 13:57 Russia’s parliament moves forward with a crypto bill mandating licensed intermediaries and imposing strict penalties on unregistered platforms. Russia\u2019s State Duma has approved the first reading of a sweeping crypto regulation bill, setting the stage for significant changes to the country\u2019s digital asset market. The draft legislation, titled \u201cOn […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":587972,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[474,162,25,472],"class_list":{"0":"post-587971","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-blockchain","8":"tag-crypto-regulation","9":"tag-digital-currency","10":"tag-news","11":"tag-russia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-bitco.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/587971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-bitco.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-bitco.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-bitco.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-bitco.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=587971"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/e-bitco.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/587971\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-bitco.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/587972"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/e-bitco.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=587971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-bitco.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=587971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/e-bitco.in\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=587971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}