Russia’s central bank, finance ministry to launch crypto exchange
Russia's finance ministry and central bank plan to launch a crypto exchange for "super-qualified investors" under an experimental legal regime. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov stated that the initiative aims to legalize crypto assets and bring operations into the open. The central bank proposed allowing a limited number of wealthy investors to trade cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin for three years. Super-qualified investors will be defined by wealth exceeding 100 million rubles ($1.2 million) or an annual income of at least 50 million rubles ($602,000), though these criteria are not finalized. Russia previously banned cryptocurrency payments under its 2021 law, On Digital Financial Assets, but is exploring new crypto initiatives, including a potential government stablecoin and a crypto fund for confiscated assets.
