Russia's Crypto Market Approved for Expansion
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AI-assisted source synthesis · not an independent investigation.
On October 7, 2026, the Central Bank of Russia approved the first nine institutions to enter the regulated crypto market, including four digital currency trading platforms and five providers of digital custody services; Sberbank and VTB received digital custody licenses, while VTB was also authorized to conduct trading. Crypto transactions, including transfers to overseas wallets, must be conducted through licensed intermediaries, and the relevant institutions must comply with the regulatory framework no later than September 1, 2027. On October 13, Sberbank joined the register of cryptocurrency trading service providers, planning to open trading to all customers on December 1 and test BTC, ETH, and USDT; cryptocurrency payments within Russia remain prohibited. Earlier reports said that there were nine relevant institutions and that they had to complete compliance by September 1, 2027, while subsequent reports said the Central Bank had authorized 11 institutions to conduct trading, and individual P2P transfers could continue only until July 1, 2027, after which they would have to be transferred through approved custodial wallets; currently, the only assets available for retail investors to trade are BTC, ETH, and USDT.
AI-written from reports · updated 5 days ago
Developments
- Oct 15 20:23 · 1 reportsRussia will stop P2P crypto trading in 2027Cryptopolitan：Russia will stop personal P2P cryptocurrency transactions in July 2027, with 11 institutions licensed
- Oct 13 19:02 · 1 reportsSberbank approved to offer cryptocurrency tradingCoinDesk：Sberbank Approved to Join Russia’s Crypto Trading Register
- Oct 7 19:50 · 1 reportsRussia approves first batch of cryptocurrency platformsCryptopolitan：Bank of Russia approves first 4 crypto trading platforms and 5 digital custody institutions
Timeline
Follow the reporting to see the different sides of the story.
- CryptopolitanSelectedRussia will stop personal P2P cryptocurrency transactions in July 2027, with 11 institutions licensed
The Central Bank of Russia has clarified that P2P cryptocurrency transfers between individuals may only be conducted until July 1, 2027; after that, digital currencies must be transferred through approved custodial wallets. The Central Bank of Russia has authorized 11 institutions to conduct cryptocurrency trading business, including Sberbank; at present, the only assets available for retail investors to trade are Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether’s USDT.
- CoinDeskSelectedSberbank Approved to Join Russia’s Crypto Trading Register
Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, has joined Bank of Russia’s register of crypto trading service providers and plans to open crypto trading to all customers on December 1. The bank has tested BTC, ETH and USDT trading in its app while also advancing its digital custody and crypto wallet businesses. Crypto payments remain prohibited in Russia, and from July 2027, related transactions must be conducted through registered intermediaries.
- CryptopolitanSelectedBank of Russia approves first 4 crypto trading platforms and 5 digital custody institutions
Bank of Russia has approved 9 institutions to enter the regulated crypto market, with 4 authorized to operate as digital currency trading platforms and 5 authorized to provide digital custody services, making them the first participants in the two official registries. Sberbank and VTB received digital custody licenses, while VTB was also authorized to conduct cryptocurrency trading. All crypto transactions, including transfers to overseas wallets, must be completed through Russian licensed intermediaries, and the relevant institutions must fully comply with the regulatory framework no later than 2027年9月1日.
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