Short answer: By October 22, 2026, the Bank of Russia's register of crypto exchange providers had 17 members, up from four when it opened on October 6; the 17th was Prosto LLC. A separate register of digital depositories has eight. Sberbank and VTB are on both lists, which lets them trade crypto in their own name and keep records of client holdings. VTB plans to open retail trading through its "My Investments" app in November and through its own exchange in December; Sberbank targets December 1. Non-qualified investors will be limited to the most liquid coins and 300,000 roubles a year per intermediary.
Who is on the registers?
The registers implement the law "On Digital Currencies and Digital Rights", which took effect on September 1; we explained the law in Russia crypto law takes effect and the opening of the list in Bank of Russia crypto exchange registry opens. According to DL News, VTB was approved as a depository and listed as an exchange provider on October 6, the day the registers opened, and its broker closed its first stablecoin deals for corporate clients the same day. Sberbank was among the first five depositories and joined the exchange register on October 12. T-Technologies is present through two units: Atomyze as a depository and T-Invest Lab as an exchange provider. MTS Bank has announced basic crypto services for the fourth quarter but is not reported as registered yet.
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Exchange providers | 17 as of October 22, 2026 (four at opening on October 6) |
| Digital depositories | 8 |
| On both lists | Sberbank and VTB |
| VTB retail launch | November 2026 via "My Investments"; December via the bank's exchange |
| Sberbank retail launch | Target December 1, 2026; testing BTC, ETH and USDT in its app |
| Retail limit | Most liquid coins only; 300,000 roubles a year per intermediary; test required |
| Qualified investors | No cap, any coin; test required |
| July 1, 2027 | Residents may trade crypto only through registered intermediaries; penalties for unlicensed ones |
| September 1, 2027 | Registered firms must fully comply with the law |
What will ordinary investors be able to do?
For non-qualified investors the regime is deliberately cautious. They must pass a test, can buy only the most liquid cryptocurrencies and are capped at 300,000 roubles (about $3,800) per year with each intermediary. Qualified investors also take a test but face no cap and no coin restriction. Sberbank says it is testing Bitcoin, Ether and USDT trades, though the final retail list depends on regulations. Paying for goods and services inside Russia with crypto remains banned; exporters and importers may use it for cross-border settlements, and Sberbank has offered such wallet-to-wallet payments since September 1 at about 0.3% on average.
Why the July 2027 deadline matters
From July 1, 2027, Russian residents will be allowed to trade crypto only through registered intermediaries, and penalties for unlicensed ones start the same day. That puts a clock on the informal market that many people use today: OTC desks, P2P sellers and offices that are not on the list. Until then, both worlds coexist, and the rules for each are different. Our guide to exchanging crypto in Moscow covers how the new law treats cash and office swaps.
What to do now if you swap crypto in Russia
- Check the official register on the Bank of Russia site before trusting a service that claims to be licensed. A name in an advert is not proof.
- Mind the limits. If you are not a qualified investor, the 300,000-rouble cap applies per intermediary per year; plan larger moves accordingly.
- Know the difference between custody and payout. A bank app holds coins for you; a non-custodial exchanger pays out to your own wallet. Compare services in the exchangers list and read how to vet an exchanger.
- Keep records. Tax rules and reporting are tightening worldwide; see what tax authorities see about your crypto.
FAQ
How many firms are on Russia's crypto exchange register?
As of October 22, 2026, the Bank of Russia's exchange provider register had 17 members, up from four at its opening on October 6. The separate digital depository register had eight.
When will Sberbank and VTB let retail clients buy crypto?
VTB plans retail access through its "My Investments" app in November 2026 and via its own exchange in December. Sberbank is targeting December 1, 2026, subject to regulations being ready.
How much crypto can a non-qualified investor buy in Russia?
Up to 300,000 roubles a year per intermediary, only in the most liquid cryptocurrencies, after passing a test. Qualified investors have no cap.
What changes on July 1, 2027?
From that date Russian residents may trade crypto only through registered intermediaries, and penalties for unlicensed intermediaries begin.