The Moscow Exchange intends to roll out cryptocurrency trading for its clients beginning in December, having already initiated operational testing alongside professional market participants last week.
“We are actively testing. We started a week ago,” Boris Blokhin, the exchange’s senior managing director for sales and business development, told journalists on the sidelines of the Sber Investments forum, according to a Thursday Interfax report.
As the country’s largest exchange, Russia’s primary marketplace will collaborate with a partner settlement digital depository where participants will maintain accounts. Blokhin noted that the exchange will not require any extra permits or licenses to initiate trading.
JUST IN:
Russia's Moscow Stock Exchange will allow its 40.1 million clients to invest in Bitcoin and crypto assets
pic.twitter.com/ZJOxEPWNNv
— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) October 12, 2026
This initiative comes on the heels of Russia’s digital currencies and digital rights law, which launched in September to establish thorough guidelines for cryptocurrencies domestically.
Transactions can be executed via existing frameworks like brokers, trust managers, and exchanges. Additionally, new entities will enter the space, featuring digital depositories for tracking ownership and crypto exchangers for buying and selling assets.
Last month, Sberbank—Russia’s biggest bank—revealed it became the country’s first institution authorized to provide bitcoin custody. The Bank of Russia granted approval for “digital currency record-keeping” and asset transfer facilitation, encompassing bitcoin alongside alternative, smaller digital currencies.
Russia maintains a complex dynamic with Bitcoin. Back in 2024, President Vladimir Putin appeared to voice admiration for the pioneering cryptocurrency, stating at a forum at the time: “For example, Bitcoin, who can ban it? Nobody.”
Even so, the Kremlin maintains strict oversight over citizen usage. Domestic crypto payments have been prohibited since 2022, and non-qualified investors face an annual ceiling of 300,000 rubles ($3,556) for purchasing bitcoin and stablecoins through a sole intermediary.
Conversely, qualified investors face no restrictions, allowing them to purchase any cryptocurrency available across over-the-counter and exchange markets.
In October, President Putin signed legislation officially cementing the regulatory framework for digital rights and digital currencies across the nation.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Moscow Exchange launch Bitcoin trading?
The Moscow Exchange plans to launch crypto trading for clients starting in December.
Are testing phases currently underway?
Yes, testing operations with professional market participants began a week prior to the announcement.
What is the annual purchase limit for non-qualified investors?
Unqualified investors are capped at buying 300,000 rubles ($3,556) worth of bitcoin and stablecoins per year through a single intermediary.
Is cryptocurrency legal to use as payment in Russia?
No, using crypto as a form of payment has been illegal in Russia since 2022.
