Putin Signs Comprehensive Digital Currency Regulatory Law, Core Provisions Effective from September 1

TechFlow News, August 5, according to TASS, Russian President Putin signed a law on August 4 implementing comprehensive regulation on the circulation of digital currencies and digital rights within Russia for the first time. The law establishes an operational framework for cryptocurrency exchanges, digital custodians, and market participants, while regulating cryptocurrency mining and the issuance and circulation of Digital Financial Assets (DFA). Key contents include: cryptocurrency exchanges must be included in a special registry to operate (transition period until July 1, 2027), with a minimum registered capital requirement of 15 million rubles (approximately $187,000); the use of cryptocurrency for payment of goods and services remains prohibited within the country, but is allowed for cross-border trade settlement and mining proceeds; non-qualified investors have an annual purchase limit of 300,000 rubles (approximately $3,700) per intermediary, while qualified investors are unrestricted; banks have the right to freeze funds suspected of unauthorized cryptocurrency transactions. The core provisions of the law will officially take effect on September 1, 2026, with some provisions to be implemented in batches on July 1 and September 1, 2027.