Russia to Legalize Crypto Payments for Foreign Trade

Highlights:

• Russia to legalize crypto payments for international trade deals.
• The finance ministry and central bank agree to tighten oversight.
• Over 2.5 trillion rubles in digital assets circulate in Russia.

Russia has taken a major step in adopting the use of cryptocurrencies in international trade. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov confirmed that the Finance Ministry and the Central Bank have agreed on legalizing crypto payments for foreign transactions. The announcement was preceded by a high-level meeting on enhancing the efficiency of the economy and business equality led by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

Siluanov said that the move will introduce structure and order in a market that has already been active across borders. He further stated that regulation should be consistent with national control measures to achieve accountability. The new system also seeks to restrict the risk of uncontrolled currency outflows by using digital resources.

According to Russian outlet Izvestia, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov announced on October 21 that the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank have agreed to legalize the use of cryptocurrencies in foreign trade and introduce relevant legislation. He added that regulators will…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) October 22, 2025

Crypto Payments Gain Legal Ground in Trade

The minister explained that crypto payments have become crucial in trade activities as international sanctions continue. Russia has been using digital assets both locally and internationally over the years. Moreover, sanctioned entities have used the A7A5 stablecoin to facilitate billions of payments that could not be made in the traditional financial systems.

This decision by the government makes this growing trend more formal. Siluanov clarified that crypto has the potential to simplify imports and exports, though it has to be used within a controlled system. A key role in terms of oversight will be the Bank of Russia, headed by Elvira Nabiullina. They will control compliance and eliminate financial crimes in collaboration with Rosfinmonitoring.

The shifting attitude of Russia toward cryptocurrency marks a transition from previous opposition to active regulation. Officials consider cryptocurrencies as a tool to reduce dependence on currencies from unfriendly countries. Analysts estimate that Russian citizens and businesses already possess more than 2.5 trillion rubles of crypto assets. This shift demonstrates how digital finance is stabilizing economies in the face of worldwide limitations.

Nationwide Crypto Developments Gain Momentum

Russia has emerged as one of the top cryptocurrency adopters in Europe. According to a Chainalysis report, the country received more than $376 billion of crypto assets in the period between July 2024 and June 2025. With this latest legalization, Moscow signals that digital finance is ceasing to be an outskirts sector but a central aspect of its trade and money policy.

Furthermore, industry experts believe that by 2026, Russia will attain a harmonized control of its digital markets. Evgeny Masharov of the Association of Forex Dealers estimates that the country will witness more transparent laws and robust frameworks of crypto regulation.

Earlier this year, the Ministry of Energy launched a national crypto mining registration. The system, created in collaboration with the Federal Tax Service, monitors equipment and prevents tax evasion and power abuse. Since this move, authorities have been targeting illegal mining operations. Recently, police in St. Petersburg confiscated 2,700 rigs in an unlicensed farm that had been active since 2018.

In April 2025, Russia said that it would roll out a state-controlled crypto exchange for highly qualified investors. The platform is designed to standardize crypto trade while preserving state control.

JUST IN: Russia to launch crypto exchange for "super-qualified investors", RBC News reports 🇷🇺 pic.twitter.com/pa0WdaTh00

— Bitcoin Magazine (@BitcoinMagazine) April 23, 2025