A New Era Begins for Crypto Exchanges in Russia: Central Bank Registration Becomes Mandatory!

The official registration system prepared by the Central Bank of Russia for cryptocurrency exchanges and digital custody institutions came into effect on October 5th.

New admission rules for exchanges and digital custody institutions wishing to operate in the cryptocurrency market in Russia came into effect on October 5, 2026. According to the regulation, companies will be required to register with the relevant registers maintained by the Central Bank of Russia in order to legally provide services.

The new system covers cryptocurrency exchanges, as well as digital custody institutions and operators of information systems that generate digital financial rights. The Central Bank has published procedures regulating the documents to be submitted during the application process, the qualifications required of managers, and how registration decisions will be made.

Professional qualifications and eligibility requirements will be sought for board members and certain senior employees of companies. The Central Bank will evaluate the applications and decide whether or not to register the organization. Certain information about the registered companies will be published on the regulatory body’s website and updated as necessary.

A simplified application process has also been created for some companies already operating in the market. However, being an existing crypto company does not automatically grant official registration rights. Each organization must submit its documents and pass the Central Bank’s evaluation.

The entry into force of the rules does not mean that all investors in Russia can buy and sell Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other cryptocurrencies without limit starting today. The registration of exchanges and the types of assets individual investors can access and under what conditions are being handled as separate regulatory processes.

Therefore, October 5th marks the start of the application and verification system. It cannot yet be said that all applications have been approved or that a completely free cryptocurrency market has opened in the country.

*This is not investment advice.