Russia is preparing new legislation that would allow law enforcement to seize digital assets like Bitcoin in criminal cases.
The move comes as the country modernizes its legal tools to combat financial crimes involving cryptocurrencies.
Deputy Justice Minister Vadim Fedorov announced the bill during a national legal forum focused on emerging tech risks.
Under the draft law, cryptocurrencies will be classified as property, giving courts and investigators the legal backing to confiscate them.
Officers could seize hardware wallets, storage devices, and other tools that provide access to digital assets. Courts may also issue orders to freeze transactions during investigations.
Fedorov said seizure methods would vary depending on the type and storage method of the crypto asset involved.
The Ministry of Justice wants to eliminate legal blind spots that hinder police from taking action against criminals using crypto.
Fedorov emphasized that this law would give investigators a more effective way to manage and secure digital currencies involved in illegal activity.
Russia has stepped up its regulatory focus on digital assets in recent years. This proposal is just one part of a broader push to tighten control over crypto’s role in money laundering, fraud, and illicit finance.
If passed, the bill could shift how Russian courts and investigators handle cryptocurrencies—and further signal state-backed efforts to regulate the digital economy.
Kosta Gushterov
Reporter at Coindoo
Kosta has been a part of the team since 2021 and has solidified his position with a thirst for knowledge, incredible dedication to his work and a “detective-like” mindset. He not only covers a wide range of trending topics, he also creates reviews, PR articles and educational content. His work has also been referenced by other news outlets.
Source: https://coindoo.com/russia-moves-to-legalize-crypto-seizure-in-crime-cases/