Russia: a crypto platform reserved for qualified investors as part of a regulated pilot project
The Russian Federation has just announced the establishment of a national cryptocurrency exchange platform, exclusively for "super-qualified investors." This initiative, jointly promoted by the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank of Russia, is part of a strategy aimed at formalizing the use of digital assets in the country's financial system while limiting systemic risks.
Restricted access based on wealth and income criteria
According to current criteria, only investors with assets exceeding 100 million rubles (approximately 1.2 million dollars) or with an annual income exceeding 50 million rubles (approximately 602,000 dollars) will be able to access this infrastructure. These eligibility conditions, although indicative for the moment, are subject to change depending on ongoing legislative discussions.
An experimental legal framework for three years
The platform will operate under an experimental legal regime lasting three years, overseen by the Central Bank. This arrangement will allow for a gradual integration of cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, into the Russian financial ecosystem, through a regulated, secure environment subject to strict institutional oversight.
The main objective is to analyze the economic implications and risks associated with the regulated adoption of digital assets, while avoiding massive exposure of the unregulated market.