Elite-Only Crypto Trading: Russia Sets Strict Entry Barriers

Russia’s central bank has made a move: crypto investments are now allowed—but not for everyone. Only qualified investors with significant capital and experience will be granted access to financial instruments linked to cryptocurrency prices. Important detail: these are non-deliverable products, meaning you don’t actually own Bitcoin—you just gain (or lose) based on its price fluctuations.

This step appears to contradict Russia’s official stance, which still discourages direct crypto investments. However, economic pressure and Western sanctions seem to be pushing Moscow toward partial regulation of the digital asset market.

Meanwhile, the Russian government is working on a state-run crypto exchange and a pilot program that would restrict trading access to individuals with assets over $1 million. At the same time, Russian companies are already using crypto in trade with India and China—effectively bypassing sanctions imposed after the invasion of Ukraine.