Russia is weighing amendments to loosen a draft crypto law while Moscow Exchange discusses broker-led spot trading and possible 24/7 access under a regulated market structure.
Russian lawmakers are considering amendments to soften the country’s draft digital-asset law ahead of its next reading, while Moscow Exchange discusses a broker-led model for crypto spot trading and possible 24/7 access. The proposed legal changes, submitted by the State Duma’s Financial Markets Committee to the Finance Ministry and presented by Dmitry Novikov, would legalize some peer-to-peer crypto-for-cash trades, allow withdrawals to self-custody wallets, broaden the list of approved tokens, and raise purchase limits for non-qualified investors. Under the current draft, Russian residents could buy cryptocurrencies only through intermediaries licensed by the Central Bank of Russia, with listing thresholds that would likely restrict the regulated market to a small number of major assets such as Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana. Moscow Exchange is also testing dedicated crypto accounts and crypto deposits and withdrawals with some brokers, with users expected to access digital assets through broker-held custody accounts rather than direct exchange wallets. The bill passed its first reading in April and must be adopted and enforced by July 1, 2026.