Russia plans to criminalize unlicensed cryptocurrency trading, with a maximum sentence of 7 years of forced labor

According to DL News, the Russian government has published a draft bill on the State Duma website, proposing to hold criminal liability for organizing the circulation of digital currencies without registration or permission from the Central Bank of Russia, with a maximum penalty of 7 years of forced labor.

The draft states that ordinary violators could face fines of up to approximately $4,000 and a maximum sentence of 4 years; operators of large cryptocurrency trading platforms could face fines of up to approximately $13,000, and responsible individuals could be sentenced to 5 to 7 years. The bill also proposes that most cryptocurrency transactions be completed through commercial bank apps and imposes penalties on industrial cryptocurrency miners for unreported activities. If approved by the State Duma and the president, the new regulations are set to take effect on July 1, 2027.