Moscow – Russia’s lower house of parliament approved a landmark bill that establishes a regulated framework for cryptocurrency trading and authorises the use of digital tokens by Russian companies to facilitate international transactions, officials said on Thursday. The State Duma vote clears the final parliamentary hurdle before the law is sent to President Vladimir Putin for signature, after which it will come into force on 1 September.
Regulatory structure and licensing timeline
The legislation creates a mandatory licensing system for crypto‑exchange operators, custodians and service providers. According to Finance Magnates, firms must obtain a licence by July 2027, giving the industry a six‑year transition period to comply. The law also imposes a strict annual investment ceiling of $3,800 for retail individuals, a figure first reported by CoinDesk. The cap is intended to limit exposure of non‑professional investors while allowing limited participation in the market.
"Retail investors will be limited to a $3,800 annual investment ceiling, effectively barring large‑scale speculation by private citizens," the bill stipulates, CoinDesk noted.
Domestic use of cryptocurrencies for payment remains prohibited. Both Meduza and Crypto Briefing highlighted that the law expressly bans the use of crypto as a means of payment within Russia, confirming that citizens still cannot buy groceries or other goods with Bitcoin or other tokens.
Cross‑border trade and sanctions‑evasion objectives
The most politically significant provision creates a state‑run infrastructure that permits Russian companies to settle foreign trade contracts with digital tokens, thereby sidestepping Western sanctions. Bitcoin Magazine described the measure as “state‑run rails for sanctioned trade,” while Tech Times framed it as a legalisation of a previously informal $70 billion sanctions‑evasion network.
Under the new rules, licensed crypto firms may act as intermediaries for companies seeking to transact with overseas partners, converting fiat into approved digital assets and vice‑versa. The law does not designate a specific token, leaving the choice to market participants, but it requires all transactions to be conducted on regulated platforms such as the Moscow Exchange, which already lists assets like XRP, according to Pluang.
Broader market context
The Russian move arrives as global crypto markets grapple with heightened regulatory scrutiny and volatile price action. Bitcoin, the flagship cryptocurrency, has been trading in a range of $26,000‑$30,000 in recent weeks, reflecting broader uncertainty after several major economies tightened oversight of digital assets. By formalising a licensing regime and limiting retail exposure, Moscow aims to attract institutional participation while mitigating the risk of capital flight.
Analysts note that the $3,800 cap is modest compared with retail thresholds in other jurisdictions, such as the United States, where the proposed “CLARITY Act” would set a $2,000 limit. The Russian cap, however, is higher than the $1,000 ceiling discussed in some European proposals, positioning Moscow’s approach as relatively permissive for small investors.
Critics argue that the law could further entrench Russia’s ability to evade sanctions, a concern echoed by Western policymakers. Nevertheless, supporters within the Duma contend that the regulated framework will bring transparency to a market that has previously operated in a legal grey area, improving tax compliance and consumer protection.
With the bill now awaiting presidential assent, the next weeks will determine whether Russia’s crypto strategy will reshape its international trade dynamics and set a precedent for other sanction‑bearing states seeking to institutionalise digital‑currency use.
Market Snapshot
| Asset | Price | 24h | Market Cap |
|---|---|---|---|
 Bitcoin BTC | $66,311 | +1.88% | $1330.2B |
 Ethereum ETH | $1,921 | +1.45% | $231.8B |
 BNB BNB | $572.62 | +0.22% | $76.3B |
 XRP XRP | $1.16 | +4.02% | $72.4B |
 Solana SOL | $77.76 | +0.41% | $45.3B |
 Dogecoin DOGE | $0.0734 | +1.77% | $11.4B |
 Cardano ADA | $0.173 | +2.92% | $6.5B |
Live data: CoinGecko — 2026-07-21 19:22 UTC
