Russia Locks in July 1 Crypto Payments Regime to Bypass Sanctions
Russia will legalize crypto payments for foreign trade starting July 1, 2026, to circumvent Western sanctions.Summary
Russia is set to legalize cryptocurrency payments for foreign trade on July 1, 2026, allowing exporters to accept Bitcoin and stablecoins from buyers impacted by Western banking restrictions. This move, coordinated by the Central Bank of Russia and the Ministry of Finance, aims to create a legal pathway for transactions outside the US dollar system. Illegal crypto intermediation will face penalties from mid-2027, formalizing an experiment that began in 2024. The new framework will permit only eight licensed venues to handle crypto trades, with transfers exceeding 100,000 rubles requiring reporting to the Central Bank and anti-money laundering agencies. While domestic crypto payments remain banned, Russia is exploring stablecoins, including ruble-pegged variants, as parallel settlement assets for international invoicing. This initiative seeks to establish an alternative settlement network outside SWIFT, with BRICS partners expected to integrate.
(Source：BeInCrypto)