Russia Advances Cryptocurrency Bill, Paving the Way for Criminal Penalties

Odaily News The Russian State Duma, the lower house of parliament, passed the first reading of the draft bill No. 1194918-8, titled "On Digital Currency and Digital Rights," on Tuesday. The bill aims to establish the core legal framework for digital currencies in Russia, directing cryptocurrency transactions to licensed intermediaries regulated by the Bank of Russia. According to the bill, Russian residents could purchase cryptocurrencies through approved intermediaries as early as July, while unlicensed platforms will be banned by July 2027.

The bill introduces restrictions for retail investors, stipulating that only digital currencies with high liquidity are permitted for purchase. Relevant assets must meet criteria such as an average market capitalization exceeding 5 trillion rubles (approximately $66.66 billion) over the past two years, a daily average trading volume exceeding 1 trillion rubles (approximately $13.33 billion), and a trading history of at least five years. Retail investors are required to pass a test and have an annual purchase limit of 300,000 rubles (approximately $4,000) per single intermediary. Furthermore, the bill allows residents to purchase cryptocurrencies through foreign accounts but mandates reporting to tax authorities, while explicitly prohibiting the use of cryptocurrencies for payments.