According to TASS and other reports, Anatoly Aksakov, Chair of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets, said a draft bill is already prepared that would remove cryptocurrencies from Russia’s “special financial regulation” framework and move toward making digital assets more commonplace in Russian society. The announcement was made in comments to Rossiya-24 television and signals a potential shift in crypto policy and regulatory approach in the country.
Draft Law Aims to Normalize Crypto Use
Aksakov said lawmakers have already drafted a bill that would exempt cryptocurrencies from the special regulatory category they currently occupy — rules that distinguish digital assets from traditional financial instruments. By lifting that classification, cryptocurrencies would become more integrated into mainstream investment activity and less isolated by regulatory barriers, he said, helping make their use “commonplace in daily life” for Russians.
The bill is expected to be a central topic during the State Duma’s upcoming spring session, with “considerable attention” devoted to the development of **digital financial assets (DFAs) and crypto legislation,” Aksakov told state media.
Access for Investors and Use Cases
According to related coverage, the draft proposes that professional market participants will be able to work with cryptocurrencies without limitations under the new regime. Non-qualified (retail) investors would also gain access, but with a purchase limit of up to 300,000 rubles (about $3,200) to mitigate risk.
In addition to loosening regulatory classification, the bill would likely allow Russian residents and firms to use cryptocurrencies for international settlements and investment activities, provided these operations comply with wider financial regulations.
Current Regulatory Landscape
Russia’s attitude toward cryptocurrency regulation has been complex. While the government previously treated digital assets strictly as investment instruments and prohibited their use as legal tender, policymakers have sought ways to incorporate crypto into regulated frameworks without fully legalizing it as money. For example, in a separate TASS report, Aksakov reiterated that cryptocurrencies will never become official money in Russia and still cannot be used for domestic payments, insisting that transactions inside the country must be conducted in rubles.
In late 2025 and early 2026, other developments indicated a broader push toward crypto regulation. The Finance Ministry and Central Bank have debated updated rulebooks for digital financial assets, including discussions about international settlements using digital assets and licensing for crypto market operators.
Potential Impact and Debate
Supporters of the proposed change say it could reduce legal uncertainty, attract investment, and expand participation in digital asset markets. By removing special financial regulation, cryptocurrencies may become easier for Russian companies and individual investors to hold and trade, potentially boosting adoption and innovation.
Critics, however, warn that deregulation without robust consumer protections could expose ordinary investors to market and operational risks inherent in cryptocurrency markets, especially given Russia’s historical prohibition on using crypto for domestic payments.
The draft law’s progress through the Duma — and any amendments it may undergo during parliamentary debate — will be closely watched by the global crypto community for indications about how Russia’s policy toward digital assets is evolving.
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