Russian Crypto Regulation: What You Need to Know

When talking about Russian crypto regulation, the set of laws and guidelines governing digital assets in the Russian Federation. Also known as Russia's crypto laws, it shapes how exchanges, wallets, and investors operate. One of the first things the government tackled was crypto exchange licensing, a mandatory permit for any platform offering crypto trading to Russian users, which immediately forced firms to adapt or exit the market.

The licensing rule brings two heavy obligations. First, every licensed exchange must implement robust Anti‑Money Laundering (AML) controls, meaning transaction monitoring, customer identification, and reporting suspicious activity. Second, the state introduced the digital ruble, a central‑bank digital currency designed to coexist with traditional cash, which directly influences how crypto payments are processed and taxed. In practice, Russian crypto regulation encompasses licensing of exchanges, imposes AML compliance, and leverages the digital ruble to steer market behavior.

From a tax perspective, the Kremlin treats crypto gains as property, subjecting them to a 13% personal income tax for residents and 30% for non‑residents. This “blockchain tax policy” also requires reporting of wallet balances above a certain threshold. Together with AML rules, the tax framework creates a three‑layer compliance stack that every crypto business must navigate. Investors feel the impact through tighter KYC checks, limited access to foreign tokens, and the need to convert crypto profits into rubles before filing taxes.

Below you’ll find a curated set of articles that break down each piece of the puzzle: from detailed guides on obtaining an exchange license, to analyses of the digital ruble’s rollout, to step‑by‑step tax filing tips. Whether you’re a trader, a developer, or just watching the space, the posts ahead give you practical insight into how Russia’s regulatory landscape shapes the crypto world today.