Key Facts

  • The Bank of Russia approved Bitcoin, Ether, and USDT as the only cryptocurrencies non-qualified investors can trade on domestic exchanges, under an ordinance that takes effect Nov. 17.

  • Non-qualified investors face a 300,000-ruble (about $3,700) annual cap per intermediary, while qualified investors face no limit, and every investor must pass a test first.

  • The move finalizes a framework the central bank first proposed in August, as Sberbank and Moscow Exchange both prepare Dec. 1 crypto launches.

The Bank of Russia approved Bitcoin, Ether, and USDT as the only cryptocurrencies non-qualified investors can trade on domestic exchanges, under an ordinance that takes effect Nov. 17.

Non-qualified investors face a 300,000-ruble (about $3,700) annual cap per intermediary, while qualified investors face no limit, and every investor must pass a test first.

The move finalizes a framework the central bank first proposed in August, as Sberbank and Moscow Exchange both prepare Dec. 1 crypto launches.

How Russia's New Crypto Trading Rules Work

Regardless of status, the central bank said every investor must pass a test and read about cryptocurrency investment risks before trading.

From August's Draft List to December's Exchange Launches

Using cryptocurrency to pay for goods or services domestically remains banned under the same rules.