Russia Authorizes Retail Bitcoin and Ethereum Trading (9 Nov)
- Central Bank of Russia authorizes retail crypto trading starting November 17.
- Retail investors face a 300,000-ruble annual trading cap per intermediary.
- Participants must pass a knowledge test to trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT.
- Moscow Exchange will begin pilot crypto trading on December 1.
- Russia plans to implement a total ban on peer-to-peer crypto trading by July 2027.
The Central Bank of Russia has officially authorized retail investors to trade Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the Tether stablecoin starting November 17. This decision allows non-professional traders to purchase these specific digital assets directly.
This development occurs as US spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds recorded $1.28 billion in net outflows during the week ending November 6.
Sam Daodu, a crypto analyst and editor at the 24/7 Wall St. Crypto Desk, covers Bitcoin, XRP, Ethereum, and Solana. Daodu has authored more than 2,000 articles since 2019, with his work syndicated on MSN, Yahoo Finance, and AOL.
Retail investors face 300,000-ruble annual trading cap
Retail investors in Russia face a strict annual trading limit of 300,000 rubles per intermediary. This cap, which equals approximately $3,662 at the November 8, 2026 exchange rate, restricts the volume of cryptocurrency non-professionals can handle.
Participants must complete a knowledge test to engage in crypto trading under these new rules. According to 247wallst.com, qualified investors are exempt from these specific purchase limits.
Coinbase is prohibited from serving Russian customers due to OFAC sanctions. On November 6, Coinbase shares fell 1.5% to $134.76, while Strategy Inc. shares dipped 0.3% to $128.93. Strategy Inc. holds approximately 848,517 BTC in its portfolio.
Executive Chairman Michael Saylor stated on February 5, 2026, that "crypto is moving from an asset class few could buy to one where everyone is competing to offer access". BlackRock transferred $262 million in Bitcoin from its ETF wallets to Coinbase Prime.
The cargo, which disappeared between August 29 and September 13, is worth approximately 76.1 million yuan. Analysts suspect the theft was a planned operation, as the stolen chips could be sold overseas for nearly double their domestic price. With the exchange rate at 1 USD to 6.6756 CNY, the $11.4 million value aligns with the reported 76.1 million yuan figure.
Bitcoin and Ethereum trade below market averages
As of November 8, Bitcoin is priced at $75,662.
Ethereum is priced at $2,226.
Moscow Exchange prepares for December 1 pilot trading
The Moscow Exchange announced it will begin pilot trading of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT on December 1.
The exchange has launched XRP futures in rubles, enabling qualified investors to bet on the asset without holding the token. Margin requirements set by the Moscow Exchange for these new futures indicate the exchange's nervousness regarding the launch.
Russia schedules peer-to-peer trading ban for July 2027
Russia intends to implement a ban on peer-to-peer cryptocurrency trading effective July 1, 2027.
This regulatory outlook coincides with reports that a truck made several extended stops before it disappeared in San Bernardino County, California.
Frequently Asked Questions
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