Russia is preparing a legal framework that would bring digital assets into a structure similar to its traditional financial market. Under the draft proposal, licensed brokers would serve as the mandatory access point for retail crypto trading.
This comes as the European Union considers banning crypto activity with Russia. The EU plans focus on cross-border limits, while Russia aims to regulate domestic crypto activity. The Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance drafted the proposal. Officials expect the new structure to be operational by July 2027.
At its core, the plan requires retail investors to access digital assets through licensed intermediaries. Brokers would oversee onboarding, investor checks, and compliance, while licensed crypto exchanges and digital custodians would operate within a structure modeled on the traditional securities market. All trading would take place inside this regulated environment and remain subject to existing anti-money laundering and reporting requirements.
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A Broader Role for Brokers
If adopted, the framework expands brokers’ roles in digital assets. They would run trades, oversee investor tests, give risk disclosures, and classify clients. The proposal builds a domestic investment channel and cuts reliance on offshore platforms.
Some Russian-origin brands still work internationally. For example, the Alpari brand, now part of Exinity Group, has a platform offering “up or down” binary-style contracts. These contracts would not be covered by the domestic regime.
Russia would not allow direct retail access to global crypto platforms. Instead, trading must go through licensed intermediaries. Brokers become the main compliance and distribution layer for retail crypto.
