Russia to Route Most Resident Crypto Trades Through Registered Firms From July 1, 2027

Russia will require residents who are not authorized crypto-market organizers to conduct most digital-currency transactions through or with registered firms from July 1, 2027, moving ordinary trading into a regulated intermediary system.

Federal Law No. 282-FZ took effect Sept. 1, 2026, but the intermediary requirement in Article 30, Part 1 starts July 1, 2027. The later start creates a transition period through June 30, 2027. The requirement covers most transactions by residents outside the authorized organizer category, subject to exceptions in the law.

During the transition, peer-to-peer (P2P) transactions between individuals remain permitted. Article 31, Part 5 separately prohibits transfers of digital currency between individuals, and the rules also bar transfers from individuals to noncustodial wallets. It remains unclear how P2P trades can settle during the transition while direct transfers are barred.

The Bank of Russia, Russia’s central bank, is establishing registers for exchange organizations and digital depositories. Exchange organizations may buy and sell digital currencies, while depositories record and transfer them. The initial register entries on Oct. 6 included four exchange organizations and five digital depositories.

Sberbank entered the depository register on Oct. 6 and the exchange register on Oct. 12. Registered firms must follow transaction-recording requirements from the time they join the registers and bring their operations into compliance by Sept. 1, 2027. That deadline falls two months after the resident transaction rule begins.

The framework does not permit domestic cryptocurrency payments. Exporters and importers may use cryptocurrency for cross-border payments under the law.