Crypto news

21.07.2026
13:48

The State Duma legalized cryptocurrencies: a new law recognizes digital assets as property

russia cryptoregulations россия крипторегулирование регуляция

Today, the State Duma of the Russian Federation adopted a landmark law "On Digital Currency and Digital Rights." The document was approved immediately in the second and third readings, underscoring the high priority of this initiative for lawmakers. The key innovation is the official recognition of digital currencies as property. This fundamentally changes the legal status of cryptocurrencies in the country.

What does the new law change?

The law introduces general rules for the circulation of cryptocurrencies, which previously existed in a "gray area." Now, transactions with digital assets receive a clear legal framework. Particularly important is that judicial protection of rights to such assets no longer depends on their prior declaration. This means that even if an owner has not declared their cryptocurrency in advance, they can still go to court to protect their interests—for example, in cases of theft or fraud.

The path to legalization: next steps

For the law to come into force, it must be approved by the Federation Council and signed by the President. This process is expected not to take long. After that, Russians will gain a legal opportunity to invest in cryptocurrencies through Russian exchanges, brokers, and trust managers. This opens doors for institutional investors and creates the prerequisites for forming a civilized digital asset market within the country.

Analytical commentary: The adoption of this law is a strategically correct step. Instead of trying to ban the inevitable, Russia is choosing the path of regulation and integration of cryptocurrencies into the financial system. However, the key issue remains taxation and mechanisms for monitoring transactions. Without clear fiscal rules, the effect of legalization could be nullified. Nevertheless, this is a powerful signal for the market: cryptocurrencies are officially recognized as part of the economy, meaning risks for long-term investors are significantly reduced.