Russia’s Central Bank and Ministry of Finance plan to launch a cryptocurrency exchange aimed exclusively at “highly qualified investors,” according to a report by local news agency Interfax on Wednesday.
The initiative will operate under an “experimental legal regime” (ELR) designed to test the integration of digital assets within a tightly controlled regulatory framework.
“This will legalize crypto assets and bring crypto operations out of the shadows,” said Finance Minister Anton Siluanov, as quoted in the report. “Naturally, this will not happen domestically, but as part of the operations permitted under the experimental legal regime.”
Who Qualifies?
Under the Central Bank’s proposal, only individuals meeting stringent financial criteria will be granted access to the platform.
These include:
- Individuals with over 100 million rubles ($1.2 million) in combined securities and bank deposits.
- Or those who earned more than 50 million rubles ($600,000) in income during the previous year.
This qualification process aligns with global efforts to limit crypto exposure to retail investors while giving institutional and high-net-worth individuals access to regulated digital asset markets.
A Strategic Shift for Russia
The move marks a notable policy pivot in Russia’s evolving stance on digital assets. While the country has historically taken a cautious—if not restrictive—approach to crypto, the new framework suggests growing recognition of crypto’s economic and geopolitical utility, particularly amid international sanctions and rising demand for cross-border alternatives.
The experimental platform is expected to operate offshore or in designated special economic zones, keeping it separated from domestic retail markets while allowing for regulatory observation and risk assessment.
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-to-launch-regulated-crypto-exchange-for-qualified-investors/