Russia opens regulated exchange trading for Bitcoin, Ether and USDT from 17 November

Russia will permit public exchange trading of Bitcoin, Ether and the digital token USDT beginning 17 November, a change that brings those cryptocurrencies into the country’s regulated financial market.

The decision was finalized when the Central Bank of Russia on Friday, 6 November approved the list of crypto assets that will be available to ordinary (non‑professional) investors. From 17 November, citizens will be able to buy Bitcoin, Ether and USDT through authorised brokers, investment intermediaries and crypto exchanges.

Non‑qualified investors will face an annual purchase limit of 300,000 rubles per financial intermediary — approximately $3,700 — while qualified investors will have access to all approved cryptocurrencies without an upper investment cap.

Selection criteria and investor safeguards

The Central Bank said the three assets were chosen because of their high liquidity, large market capitalisation and long history of trading on international exchanges. Before they can trade, all investors must pass mandatory testing and be informed about the risks associated with investing in digital assets.

The move precedes planned trading activity on the Moscow Exchange, which has announced preparations to introduce crypto transactions from 1 December. Under the new rules, domestic exchanges will be legally permitted to include the approved tokens in their offerings after 17 November.

Regulators framed the change as an effort to channel crypto trading through financial institutions that remain under central‑bank supervision, marking a notable shift after years in which cryptocurrencies were subject to tight restrictions and regulatory debate in Russia.

The new regulation comes into force on 17 November, and the Moscow Exchange’s intended start date for trading is 1 December.

Photo: press material from the event