Starting December 1, 2026, the Moscow Exchange (MOEX) will launch spot trading for retail investors. Users will be able to trade Bitcoin, Ether, and the USDT stablecoin. This transition marks a shift from previously offered crypto derivatives to actual asset ownership.
Retail investors are subject to an annual purchase limit of 300,000 ₽, or approximately $3,600. To access these assets, individuals must pass a mandatory knowledge test. Qualified investors, however, face no such purchase restrictions and gain access to a broader range of digital assets.
The initiative operates under Federal Law No. 282-FZ, which became effective on September 1, 2026. MOEX began testing the system with professional participants on October 1, 2026. The exchange will utilize its existing infrastructure and licenses, partnering with digital depositories for settlement.
Major Russian financial institutions, including Sberbank and VTB, are preparing digital asset services for their clients in anticipation of the December launch. The move aims to bring transparency to the market, as all trades will be subject to central bank oversight and tracked through approved depositories.
Despite these developments, analysts estimate that approximately 80% of digital asset trading volume will persist in unregulated channels. These platforms currently offer access to thousands of tokens without requiring tests or imposing purchase limits.
