The Central Bank of Russia has put a new regulation on its agenda that will allow banks and brokerage firms to operate cryptocurrency exchanges through easier licensing. According to the statements of Central Bank President Elvira Nabiullina, organizations that already have a banking or brokerage license will be able to offer cryptocurrency platforms by simply making a notification, without applying for an additional license.
Crypto Services via Single License
In the planned new method, financial institutions will open directly to digital asset services with today’s banking or broker licenses. In this way, they will be able to establish a crypto trading platform with their existing license status without going through a new application process. In January, Anatoly Aksakov, Chairman of the Parliamentary Financial Markets Committee, also stated that the first comprehensive regulation covering cryptocurrencies would be put to vote at the end of June.
Investment Limit and Observation Process
Elvira Nabiullina said that banks will initially limit their digital asset activities to 1 percent of their capital. At this stage, it is aimed to use banks’ existing compliance and risk management infrastructures in the crypto market. Nabiullina made the following statement regarding the regulation that will come into force:
With the existing licenses of banks and brokers, we envisage paving the way for crypto exchange businesses by simply notifying; Existing compliance systems can protect customers against digital market risks.
The Central Bank of Russia will monitor how banks will operate within this limit. The activity limit granted to banks will be evaluated and it will be decided whether the scope will be expanded in the next steps.
The licensing facility in question is seen as part of a broader reform prepared by the Central Bank and the Russian Ministry of Finance to create a clear legal framework for digital assets in the country. It was announced that at the end of 2025, a regulatory concept prepared by these institutions that would allow cryptocurrencies and stablecoins to be officially considered financial assets was submitted to the Russian government.
The accepted concept will allow regulated digital asset trading through licensed financial institutions such as stock exchanges, brokerage firms and trustees. However, the long-standing restriction on the use of cryptocurrencies in daily payments in the country will be maintained.
The bill is expected to come to the State Duma in the spring session of the year. Deputy Minister of Finance Ivan Chebeskov stated that the Parliament will review the bill in March and that the planned main framework is expected to come into force on July 1, 2026.
With the new regulations, an investor-based gradual model is also envisaged in accessing the crypto market. There will be no purchase limit for wealthy individuals defined as “qualified investors”. In contrast, other users will be able to purchase up to 300 thousand rubles (about $3,800) worth of crypto assets through a single intermediary during the year.
Russia updated its definition of qualified investor last year. While conditions such as a master’s degree, high annual income or property ownership in compliance with the legislation are included in this scope, it is planned to increase the ownership criteria in 2026.
