Crypto confiscation in Russia: bailiffs get powers over digital assets

A legally established procedure for seizing and confiscating cryptocurrencies from debtors is being implemented in Russia. Dmitry Aristov, Director of the Federal Bailiff Service, announced this in an interview with TASS.

• New rules for seizing crypto take effect on September 1, 2026.
• Bailiffs will send enforcement orders to digital depositories.
• The Bailiff Service is currently handling 14 enforcement proceedings involving digital assets.

New Mechanism for Digital Asset Seizure

According to the amendments to the law «On Enforcement Proceedings», a judicial bailiff will send an official order to a digital depository, which is an organization that accounts for cryptocurrency.

The depository must write off the funds from the debtor's account and transfer them to the accounts of a state body or organization authorized to manage confiscated assets. This creates a clear legal framework for handling crypto debt.

Current Practice and Bailiff Statistics

Although the full procedure takes effect later, the territorial bodies of the Federal Bailiff Service are already handling 14 enforcement proceedings related to cryptocurrencies.

One case involves turning digital assets acquired with funds of unconfirmed legal origin into state revenue, while the other 13 cases are directly related to the confiscation of cryptocurrency.

What This Means for Asset Owners

The formalization of crypto seizure procedures marks a significant step in regulating digital assets within the country's legal system. It provides the state with direct tools to enforce financial obligations using virtual currencies.