Russia's financial sector is stepping into a new era of crypto derivatives. On Wednesday, the Moscow Exchange (MOEX) announced the launch of Bitcoin-linked futures contracts, available exclusively to qualified investors.

The new product, traded under the ticker IBIT, will be priced in U.S. dollars but settled in Russian rubles. Contracts will follow a quarterly expiration schedule, with the first batch maturing in September 2025.

🔒 Strict Rules, Limited Access

These futures contracts track the price of Bitcoin through a trust-based ETF, but no actual Bitcoin changes hands. Russia’s central bank continues to prohibit direct investments in crypto, allowing only derivatives — in other words, speculation without holding the real asset.

While the central bank warns that crypto markets are “highly volatile” and “extremely risky,” it approved this product as part of a pilot effort to cautiously open the market under strict supervision.

📊 Betting on Bitcoin — Without Owning It

Interest in crypto continues to rise in Russia. Analysts estimate that by the end of 2024, Russian households had invested more than 2 trillion rubles into cryptocurrencies. Other exchanges, like SPB Exchange, are already testing cash-settled crypto futures, while Sber, Russia’s largest lender, plans to offer similar products for institutional clients only.

🧪 A Pilot Program for Millionaires

Earlier this year, the central bank unveiled a three-year pilot program allowing a select group of wealthy individuals to trade cryptocurrencies under a special legal regime. These “highly qualified investors” must meet at least one of the following criteria:

🔹 Hold securities or deposits worth over 100 million rubles

🔹 Earn more than 50 million rubles annually

The finance ministry also announced it is reviewing two Russian exchanges for potential inclusion in the pilot. However, even within this framework, physical ownership of crypto remains prohibited — everything must stay within regulated derivatives.

📌 What Does This Mean?

Russia is cautiously opening the door to crypto-linked financial products — but only those tightly controlled. Investors may bet on Bitcoin’s price movements, but no one actually owns or transfers the coin. It's a crypto market without crypto — strictly regulated, closed off, and reserved for the financial elite.


#BitcoinFutures , #RussiaCrypto , #CryptoInvesting , #DigitalAssets , #CryptoNewss

Stay one step ahead – follow our profile and stay informed about everything important in the world of cryptocurrencies!

Notice:

,,The information and views presented in this article are intended solely for educational purposes and should not be taken as investment advice in any situation. The content of these pages should not be regarded as financial, investment, or any other form of advice. We caution that investing in cryptocurrencies can be risky and may lead to financial losses.“