Russia Enacts Digital Currency Law With 15M Ruble Capital Requirement

Putin signs digital asset framework effective Sept 1, 2026. Exchanges face 15M ruble minimum capital. Retail investors capped at 300k rubles annually for liquid crypto via intermediaries.

Woofun AI reports that Russian President Putin has signed the "Digital Currencies and Digital Rights Law", establishing a regulatory framework for exchanges and custodians effective September 1, 2026. The legislation mandates that only entities registered with specialized authorities may conduct digital currency trading, with a minimum capital requirement of 15 million rubles. Registration for these entities is not required until July 1, 2027.

Retail investors are restricted to purchasing only the most liquid cryptocurrencies through intermediaries, subject to an annual limit of 300,000 rubles per intermediary. Qualified investors face no such restrictions and may access any cryptocurrency, provided they pass specific eligibility tests or demonstrate relevant trading history. The law explicitly prohibits the use of digital currencies as legal tender or payment means within Russia.