Russia legalizes crypto trading with strict retail caps; regulatory momentum spreads

Russia’s State Duma has passed landmark legislation formally legalizing and regulating cryptocurrency trading within the country. The bill creates a structured framework for market participants and is now heading to President Vladimir Putin for his signature before taking effect. For ordinary Russian investors, the rules impose a ceiling: non-qualified retail buyers can purchase no more than 300,000 rubles (roughly $3,800) worth of crypto annually, while institutional and qualified investors face less restrictive limits. This dual-tier approach balances financial inclusion with consumer protection.

The law also permits Russian companies and businesses to transact in digital tokens for international trade, a provision with significant geopolitical implications. By allowing firms to use cryptocurrency for cross-border commerce, Russia creates an alternative payment route that could circumvent Western sanctions and traditional financial channels. Meanwhile, crypto markets have rallied on expanding regulatory optimism: Bitcoin topped $67,000 as traders absorbed both the Russian development and signs of advancing US crypto legislation, while also betting that investor interest may be cooling in AI-related trades and rotating back toward digital assets.

In parallel, the UK’s parliament has launched a separate inquiry into domestic banking barriers facing crypto firms. A cross-party parliamentary group is investigating why British banks frequently deny accounts and block payments to cryptocurrency companies and their customers, and whether these restrictions are stifling competition and investment in the sector. This contrasts with Russia’s move toward legalization, illustrating the stark divide in how major jurisdictions approach crypto: some are removing barriers to entry and commerce, while others are tightening traditional finance gatekeeping.