Russia Limits Crypto Access to Bitcoin, Ether and USDT

Table of Contents Russia will allow retail investors to purchase only Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT under its upcoming digital currency law. The Central Bank of Russia confirmed the shortlist and rejected plans to expand it at launch. Authorities will also cap annual retail crypto purchases at 300,000 rubles, or about $4,000. The Central Bank of Russia confirmed that non-professional investors may trade only BTC, ETH, and USDT. Deputy Governor Vladimir Chistyukhin announced the decision in an interview with RBC Radio. He said the bank will not expand the list when the law takes effect. The draft law “On Digital Currency and Digital Rights” passed its first reading in April. Lawmakers must adopt it before July 1, 2026. Chistyukhin said, “We do not intend to expand the scope beyond the three currencies.” The bank will maintain a 300,000 ruble annual investment limit for non-qualified investors. Chistyukhin said the cap will mitigate potential losses. He added that the regulator sees crypto as volatile and risky. The draft sets strict eligibility standards for admitted cryptocurrencies. Assets must exceed 5 trillion rubles in average market capitalization over two years. They must also post over 1 trillion rubles in average daily trading volume and have five years of trading history. Russian media previously suggested that only leading assets would qualify under those rules. The confirmed list includes Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether’s USDT. The bank did not include Solana, BNB, or TRON in the initial approval. Bitcoin will be available to retail traders once the law enters into force. The bank selected BTC due to its market size and liquidity. It meets the capitalization and trading volume thresholds. Ethereum also secured approval under the same criteria. The regulator included ETH for its liquidity and established trading record. Both assets exceed the $60 billion market value benchmark. USDT will be the only stablecoin permitted for retail investors at launch. Chistyukhin acknowledged risks linked to stablecoins. He cited past cases where Tether froze $27 million in USDT during enforcement actions. The deputy governor said future additions may focus on domestic non-dollar stablecoins. He stated, “We will see how this develops. Perhaps we will expand it. But not right away.” He added that any expansion would depend on market development and compliance. Russian outlets identified A7A5 as a ruble-pegged token used in foreign trade. CertiK reported that A7A5 has processed over $110 billion in transactions since its launch. Authorities recognized it as a digital financial asset for international settlements. Some transactions reportedly involved the Kyrgyz-registered platform Grinex. Grinex succeeded Garantex after a U.S.-led operation in March 2025. Tether froze funds in that case, which the regulator referenced during its remarks. Chistyukhin reiterated that the bank will not raise retail limits at this stage. The law remains under parliamentary review before its second reading. It must enter into force by July 1, 2026, under the current timetable. Discover top-performing stocks in AI, Crypto, and Technology with expert analysis.