Putin signs comprehensive regulation law for digital currency, core provisions effective from September 1

According to TASS, Russian President Putin signed a law on August 4 that implements comprehensive regulation for the circulation of digital currencies and digital rights within Russia for the first time. This law establishes an operational framework for cryptocurrency exchanges, digital custodians, and market participants, while also regulating cryptocurrency mining and the issuance and circulation of digital financial assets (DFA).

Key points include: cryptocurrency exchanges must be included in a special register to operate (with a transition period until July 1, 2027), and the minimum registered capital requirement is 15 million rubles (approximately $187,000); the use of cryptocurrency for payment of goods and services remains prohibited domestically, but it is allowed for cross-border trade settlements and mining income; non-qualified investors have a purchase limit of 300,000 rubles (approximately $3,700) per year per intermediary, while qualified investors are not subject to restrictions; banks have the right to freeze funds involved in unauthorized cryptocurrency transactions. The core provisions of the law will officially take effect on September 1, 2026, with some provisions being implemented in batches on July 1 and September 1, 2027.