CryptoNov 6, 2026, 5:57 PM UTC·1 min read

Russia's Central Bank Approves Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT for Exchange Trading

From 17 November 2026, Russian exchanges may list Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT. Retail investors face a cap of 300,000 rubles a year per intermediary.

Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether coins in front of a stylized Moscow skyline representing Russian crypto trading rules. — Image: vc.ru

Russia's Central Bank has named the cryptocurrencies that domestic exchanges will be allowed to trade: Bitcoin, Ethereum and the stablecoin USDT. An official directive takes effect on 17 November 2026, and from that date exchanges may admit these assets to trading. The regulator had already pointed to the same three coins in August 2026.

How the list was drawn up

The selection followed the requirements of the crypto market law, which partly came into force on 1 September 2026. The Central Bank looked at each asset's market capitalization, its average daily trading volume and its price history on foreign platforms, which must span at least five years. Only three cryptocurrencies passed these criteria.

Different rules for different investors

All investors, regardless of status, must pass a test and review the risks of such investments before making any transaction. Beyond that, the rules diverge sharply.

Qualified investors can buy any cryptocurrency traded on the exchange and over-the-counter markets without limits. Non-qualified investors face a cap: they may buy up to 300,000 rubles' worth of crypto per year through each intermediary, whether a broker, a crypto exchange service or an asset manager.

Why it matters

The directive turns the new legislation into a working framework with a concrete start date. For Russian retail investors, it opens a regulated route to the largest digital assets, though the annual ceiling keeps exposure modest. The short list also means that other cryptocurrencies remain outside the exchange-traded perimeter for now.

Trading is set to begin once the directive takes effect on 17 November, when exchanges gain the right to admit the three assets.

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Tags:bitcoinethereumusdtrussiacentral bankcrypto regulation