The Bank of Russia has proposed a three-year experimental program allowing select investors to trade cryptocurrencies under strict regulatory conditions.
Experimental Crypto Trading Program
The Bank of Russia announced a program allowing 'particularly qualified' investors to engage in cryptocurrency transactions. Eligibility includes having over 100 million rubles in securities and deposits or an annual income above 50 million rubles. Corporate investors and financial organizations meeting regulatory standards are also permitted. The central bank will develop risk-based requirements for institutions investing in digital assets. Following directives from President Vladimir Putin, it aims to use this trial period to assess the impact of regulated cryptocurrency trading while maintaining its stance against cryptocurrencies as a means of payment due to their high volatility and lack of jurisdictional backing.
Government's Cautious Stance on Digital Assets
Despite exploration, Russia's Deputy Finance Minister Vladimir Kolychev has ruled out including cryptocurrencies in the National Wealth Fund (NWF). Kolychev emphasized the Ministry of Finance has no plans to modify the NWF's investment structure due to crypto's high volatility. Meanwhile, some Russian lawmakers advocate for a strategic Bitcoin reserve to counter economic sanctions and inflation, arguing digital assets could bolster financial stability.
Reaction to Global Trends
The global crypto landscape continues to evolve throughout 2025, with many nations reassessing policies, including Russia. The experimental framework allows evaluating the effects of structured legal and regulatory environments for cryptocurrencies before considering broader implementation.
The proposed program by the Bank of Russia could become a significant step in regulating the crypto industry in Russia, though high asset volatility and hesitation amid global changes continue to influence governmental decisions.
