Russia Moves to Block Foreign Crypto Exchanges by Summer 2026
Officials say a licensing regime will channel trading to domestic exchanges to retain fees, tightening oversight.
Overview
- Lawmakers face a July 1, 2026 deadline to finalize the digital asset framework, with enforcement against unlicensed foreign platforms expected to begin soon after.
- Regulators plan technical measures such as DNS blocking and traffic monitoring, with Roskomnadzor expected to target exchanges that lack a Russian license.
- The Moscow Exchange and the St. Petersburg Exchange confirm plans to launch regulated crypto trading by mid-2026 as domestic alternatives take shape.
- Officials cite roughly $15 billion in annual fees flowing to foreign platforms and daily turnover near 50 billion rubles as economic drivers for onshoring activity.
- Draft rules include a two‑tier investor system with a 300,000‑ruble annual cap for non‑qualified buyers, restrictions on privacy coins for qualified investors, a continued ban on crypto payments, and penalties for unlicensed intermediaries starting July 1, 2027.