Russia to Ban Direct Person-to-Person Crypto Trades in July 2027

Oct. 15, 2026 Alesia Kozik / pexels Russian citizens will not be allowed to buy or sell cryptocurrency directly without state-regulated intermediaries starting next summer, according to official guidance from Russia’s Central Bank. The regulator wrote in an FAQ that peer-to-peer crypto transactions between individual buyers and sellers will be removed from the list of legal operations after July 1, 2027. Media outlets that first reported on the looming ban noted that individuals may attempt to bypass it by disguising direct crypto sales as personal gifts or debt repayments. Under a law President Vladimir Putin signed over the summer, cryptocurrencies may be bought and sold only through institutions regulated by the Central Bank. These intermediaries include exchanges, brokers, asset managers and digital depositories. Retail investors will be limited to purchases of 300,000 rubles ($3,690) a year through each intermediary. The Central Bank has already begun building an official registry of authorized crypto operators, which currently includes 12 entities like the state lenders Sberbank and VTB. The July 1, 2027, deadline is also set for cryptocurrency exchanges and digital depositories to obtain the required licenses. The law prohibits cryptocurrency payments inside Russia but not cross-border settlements. Read more about: Cryptocurrency , Central Bank Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Russia’s Central Bank Proposes Framework for Publicly Trading Major Cryptocurrencies The proposal would allow investors to trade Bitcoin, Ether and Tether on official Russian exchanges, establishing a regulated infrastructure for cryptocurrency... 1 Min read Only Rich People Should Be Allowed to Use Cryptocurrency, Russian Central Bank Says The Central Bank argues that cryptocurrencies pose significant risks due to their volatility and lack of state backing. 2 Min read Russian Central Bank Seeks to Ban Crypto Mining, Investment Russia has the world’s third-largest share in the global crypto mining market behind the United States and Kazakhstan. Inside Russia’s Plans For a Digital Ruble Russia's Central Bank is eyeing up a new “digital ruble” — a regulated, controlled and legal alternative to cryptocurrencies.