Bitcoin reacts as Putin signs law enabling crypto seizures

Putin signed crypto law? No confirmed law as of February 2026

Claims that Vladimir Putin signed a crypto law conferring broad confiscation powers remain unconfirmed as of February 2026. There is no official publication evidencing a fully enacted Russia crypto confiscation law.

Legislative activity continues in the State Duma of the Russian Federation, but reports point to drafts and committee approvals rather than a finalized statute. As reported by BTCC (via Cryptopolitan), clauses and procedures are still under negotiation, and a fully signed law has not been verified.

What the Russia crypto confiscation law is and why it matters

As reported by dig.watch, the Ministry of Justice of the Russian Federation drafted amendments classifying cryptocurrencies as property for criminal procedure, enabling courts to freeze wallets and seize private keys or hardware tied to offenses. Recognizing crypto as property would formalize seizure and confiscation in criminal cases and clarify how physical carriers of access credentials are handled.

Practitioners view these measures as aligning law with existing judicial practice and closing procedural gaps around digital assets. “The amendments are ‘long overdue’,” said Mikhail Uspensky, Association of Lawyers of Russia.

Draft language and expert commentary emphasize evidence preservation and secure custody of seized digital assets, acknowledging issues such as backups, seed phrases, and tamper prevention. These mechanics matter because operational missteps can jeopardize both evidentiary integrity and asset security.

For users, a court-ordered freeze or confiscation would target assets linked to alleged criminal activity; self-custody increases exposure to device seizure, while custodial accounts face compliance actions within Russia. The scope would be defined by criminal procedure, not general civil regulation.

Exchanges and custodians operating domestically would be expected to execute court orders to block or transfer assets, within procedural safeguards and valuation methods that remain under discussion. Secure storage standards for seized crypto would be critical to reduce operational and security risks.

Enforcement may face jurisdictional limits for assets on foreign platforms or decentralized protocols, potentially requiring international cooperation and stronger proof of ownership. These constraints could affect timelines, costs, and recoverability.

How Russian courts could seize wallets and private keys

Freezing wallets, seizing hardware, and handling private keys

As reported by Forklog, proposed procedures envision court-ordered freezes of identified wallets, seizure of hardware wallets or devices storing seed phrases, and strict evidence-handling to prevent access and tampering. Specialized custody and preservation requirements are contemplated to maintain chain of custody and avoid key exposure.

Jurisdictional limits: foreign exchanges, DeFi, and proof of ownership

The report notes practical limits where assets sit with foreign exchanges or on DeFi rails outside Russian jurisdiction. It also highlights the evidentiary burden of proving control and linking an address to an individual before courts can act.

FAQ about Russia crypto confiscation law

What is the current status of Russia’s bill on crypto confiscation and when could it take effect?

Unconfirmed as of February 2026. Ministry of Justice drafts remain under parliamentary review; timing depends on State Duma readings and formal promulgation.

How would Russian authorities seize crypto, wallets, or private keys in practice?

Through court orders to freeze wallets, seize hardware storing keys, and secure evidence; practical execution would focus on criminal cases and custodians subject to Russian jurisdiction.