Is Bitcoin Legal in Russia?
Partly. Since 1 September 2026 Russians can legally buy and hold crypto through Bank of Russia-regulated intermediaries (retail capped at 300,000 rubles a year per intermediary), but paying for goods and services with it inside Russia remains banned.
Legal and regulated · facts checked November 2026 · some details from secondary sources · bitcoin is $77,627 today
| Status | Legal and regulated |
|---|---|
| Regulator | Bank of Russia (trading, intermediaries, approved-asset list); Ministry of Digital Development (mining register) |
| Main law | Federal Law 'On Digital Currency and Digital Rights' (bill No. 1194918-8, signed August 2026, core rules in force 1 Sept 2026); Federal Law 259-FZ on Digital Financial Assets (2020, payment ban); Federal Law 221-FZ (2024, mining) |
| Exchanges | Yes. Exchanges and intermediaries must be entered in a special registry, hold at least 15 million rubles of equity and join a financial-market self-regulatory organisation; existing exchanges have until 1 March 2027. |
| Paying with bitcoin | Not legal tender. Paying for goods and services in crypto inside Russia is prohibited; crypto settlements are allowed for foreign-trade contracts with non-residents (experimental regime since 2024). |
| Banks | Yes, within the new regime: licensed banks and brokers can act as crypto intermediaries for qualified investors and capped retail investors. |
| Tax | Crypto is treated as property for tax since late 2024 (Federal Law 418-FZ); individuals pay personal income tax on gains at 13% (15% on income above 2.4 million rubles), and mined coins are taxed as income when received. |
| Mining | Allowed for registered miners since 1 Nov 2024; banned in several regions (including Moscow and Moscow region from 15 Aug 2026 to 2032) |
| Recent change | August 2026: Putin signed the first comprehensive crypto law, legalising regulated retail trading from 1 Sept 2026 while keeping the domestic payment ban. |
Bitcoin in Russia: FAQ
Is bitcoin legal in Russia?
Partly: since 1 September 2026 Russians can legally buy and hold crypto through Bank of Russia-regulated intermediaries (retail capped at 300,000 rubles a year per intermediary), but paying for goods and services with it inside Russia remains banned.
Is bitcoin legal tender in Russia?
Not legal tender. Paying for goods and services in crypto inside Russia is prohibited; crypto settlements are allowed for foreign-trade contracts with non-residents (experimental regime since 2024).
How is bitcoin taxed in Russia?
Crypto is treated as property for tax since late 2024 (Federal Law 418-FZ); individuals pay personal income tax on gains at 13% (15% on income above 2.4 million rubles), and mined coins are taxed as income when received.
Who regulates crypto in Russia?
Bank of Russia (trading, intermediaries, approved-asset list); Ministry of Digital Development (mining register). Yes. Exchanges and intermediaries must be entered in a special registry, hold at least 15 million rubles of equity and join a financial-market self-regulatory organisation; existing exchanges have until 1 March 2027.
Is bitcoin mining legal in Russia?
Allowed for registered miners since 1 Nov 2024; banned in several regions (including Moscow and Moscow region from 15 Aug 2026 to 2032).
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