RUSSIA REGISTERS ITS FIRST LICENSED CRYPTO EXCHANGES AND CUSTODIANS.
The Bank of Russia has registered nine organizations under the country’s new cryptocurrency framework, including four crypto exchange operators and five digital custodians. The move creates Russia’s first officially regulated infrastructure for buying, selling and holding digital assets.
Major state-owned banks are among the approved participants. Sberbank and VTB have been registered as digital custodians, while VTB is also authorized as a crypto exchange operator. Sberbank says it plans to launch its first crypto products on December 1, initially supporting Bitcoin, Ether and USDT.
The framework took effect on September 1, 2026, putting crypto trading and custody under Bank of Russia oversight. Crypto transactions will have to go through licensed intermediaries, while the country’s ban on using cryptocurrency for ordinary payments remains in place.
The development marks a significant shift in Russia’s approach to digital assets. Rather than leaving crypto activity largely outside the traditional financial system, Moscow is now building a state-regulated market involving major banks and licensed intermediaries.
$BTC $ETH
#russia #ETH
The Bank of Russia has registered nine organizations under the country’s new cryptocurrency framework, including four crypto exchange operators and five digital custodians. The move creates Russia’s first officially regulated infrastructure for buying, selling and holding digital assets.
Major state-owned banks are among the approved participants. Sberbank and VTB have been registered as digital custodians, while VTB is also authorized as a crypto exchange operator. Sberbank says it plans to launch its first crypto products on December 1, initially supporting Bitcoin, Ether and USDT.
The framework took effect on September 1, 2026, putting crypto trading and custody under Bank of Russia oversight. Crypto transactions will have to go through licensed intermediaries, while the country’s ban on using cryptocurrency for ordinary payments remains in place.
The development marks a significant shift in Russia’s approach to digital assets. Rather than leaving crypto activity largely outside the traditional financial system, Moscow is now building a state-regulated market involving major banks and licensed intermediaries.
$BTC $ETH
#russia #ETH
