How to Exchange Crypto in Moscow in 2026: The New Law Explained

Short answer: Russia's first comprehensive law on digital currencies was signed in early August 2026, with most provisions taking effect on 1 September 2026. Exchange trading is legalised under Bank of Russia oversight, non-qualified investors must pass a knowledge test and are limited to 300,000 roubles per intermediary per year, and using crypto for domestic payments remains prohibited.

What the law actually does

The framework cleared the State Duma in July 2026 and was signed in early August, with most provisions effective from 1 September. It introduces an experimental legal regime under which exchange trading of cryptocurrency and the use of digital assets for settlement under foreign trade contracts are permitted.

Three pillars matter for an individual in Moscow:

• Legalised trading through licensed intermediaries, supervised by the central bank.
• A retail cap. Non-qualified investors must first pass a knowledge and suitability test, after which they may buy no more than 300,000 roubles of crypto per year through each intermediary.
• The domestic payments ban stays. Paying for goods and services inside the country with crypto remains prohibited, with narrow exceptions for foreign trade settlement.

The cross-border part is the substantive change

The foreign trade provisions carry the most weight. Russian companies may settle international contracts in digital currencies through licensed intermediaries or approved wallet channels, under central bank and Rosfinmonitoring oversight. Exporters and importers gain a regulated channel for cross-border settlement — building on the experimental regime the Bank of Russia launched in 2024 for exactly this purpose.

This is a corporate mechanism rather than a retail one. For an individual in Moscow, the practical significance is indirect: it formalises flows that previously ran through grey channels, which over time tends to improve liquidity and pricing in the visible market.

What this means for an ordinary exchange

Compare providers working in the city on the Moscow exchangers page, and all live directions on the exchangers list.

Practical guidance

1. Confirm the network before quoting. USDT on TRC-20 dominates regional flow; ERC-20 costs meaningfully more to send. See USDT network fees compared.
2. Screen incoming funds. If you are receiving USDT, run an AML check before accepting — freezes are permanent in practice. See how to check a USDT address.
3. Agree the rate and terms in writing. Especially for cash, and especially if the amount is large enough to need arranging in advance.
4. Understand the card risk if using P2P. Chargebacks and account freezes are the two recurring problems — see P2P vs instant exchanger.
5. Keep documentation. With a licensing regime now in force, records of where funds came from and how they were exchanged have practical value.

A note on jurisdiction

Rules here changed substantially in 2026 and implementation details continue to develop. Treat any figure in this article — including the 300,000 rouble cap — as a starting point to verify against the current position of the Bank of Russia and your intermediary, rather than as settled fact. If you are tax resident elsewhere, your home jurisdiction's reporting rules apply to you independently; see CARF and DAC8 explained.

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