According to Bits.media on May 20, Yekaterina Lozyazhnikova, Director of the Department for Financial Market Strategic Development at the Bank of Russia, confirmed that only when foreign crypto exchanges “do not comply” with international sanctions will Russians be allowed to trade on the platform via Russian brokers. The Bank of Russia plans to set domestic standards to allow Russian brokers and investors to use qualified foreign platforms; the annual purchase limit for non-professional investors is 300,000 rubles.
## Key regulatory policy points confirmed by the Bank of Russia
Admission standards for foreign exchanges (confirmed)： Only foreign crypto exchanges that have not complied with international sanctions will be allowed to provide services to Russian investors. Lozyazhnikova said that even if trading is carried out on an overseas exchange through Russian intermediaries, it is still subject to foreign regulation, creating additional risks; overseas crypto trading should apply the same rules as platforms within Russia.
“Non-professional investors” restrictions (confirmed)：
· Annual crypto purchase limit： 300,000 rubles
· Even on foreign platforms, purchases can only be made through Russian domestic brokers for the most liquid crypto assets
Testing requirements (confirmed)： Russian brokers must require customers who wish to trade on foreign exchanges to accept testing, consistent with the rules for legally operating crypto exchanges within Russia.
Qualified investors (confirmed)： Not subject to purchase limit restrictions, but still required to pass testing.
## Related legislative process: Digital Currency Bill and supporting bills
《Digital Currency and Digital Rights Bill》（main bill）： The bill is currently in its second reading in the State Duma; it is expected to include restriction clauses covering trading on overseas crypto exchanges; the main provisions are planned to enter into force on July 1, 2026.
Mandatory monitoring supporting bill： The State Duma has begun deliberation; the stipulation is that for any crypto-currency transaction amount equal to or greater than 1 million rubles, the State must subject it to mandatory monitoring.
## Frequently asked questions
#### Why does the Bank of Russia only allow exchanges that “do not comply” with sanctions?
Lozyazhnikova confirmed that foreign crypto exchanges that comply with international sanctions may impose additional restrictions or monitoring on related transactions in Russia, creating “additional risks” for Russian investors. The rationale behind the Bank of Russia’s policy is to only allow platforms not constrained by Western sanctions to ensure that Russian capital flows are not interfered with by external regulatory oversight.
#### How much is the annual purchase limit of 300,000 rubles in USD?
Based on the current ruble exchange rate, 300,000 rubles is approximately $3,000 to $4,500 (the exact amount fluctuates with exchange rates), which constitutes a relatively conservative annual cap for non-professional investors.
#### In the supporting bill, what specific situations does the mandatory monitoring threshold of 1 million rubles apply to?
According to the report, any crypto-currency trades with an amount equal to or greater than 1 million rubles (about $1,000 to $1,500) must undergo government mandatory control. The supporting bill is currently under review in the State Duma and has not yet been passed.
