Russian Central Bank allows retail investors to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT

The Bank of Russia has officially determined three cryptocurrencies that non-qualified investors, or ordinary citizens, will be legally permitted to purchase. The approved list includes Bitcoin (Bitcoin), Ethereum (Ethereum), and the Tether (USDT) stablecoin. The regulator's corresponding instruction will enter into force on November 17, from which date exchanges will be allowed to admit these specific assets to public circulation.

• Permitted cryptocurrencies include Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether (USDT)
• A strict annual limit of 300,000 rubles via a single intermediary is set for retail investors
• Purchases can be made through brokers, asset managers, and crypto exchangers
• All investors must pass a mandatory risk-awareness test before executing transactions

Terms and limits for private investors

Private investors will be able to buy digital currency through brokers, asset managers, and crypto exchangers, operating in both exchange and over-the-counter markets. However, a specific restriction has been established: purchasing crypto assets through a single intermediary is capped at no more than 300,000 rubles per year. For qualified investors, no such limitations are foreseen, meaning they will retain access to any cryptocurrencies without volume caps.

Before executing any transaction, all investors, regardless of their formal status or previous market experience, will be required to undergo a special testing procedure. This mandatory test confirms that individuals are fully aware of the high risks associated with investing in volatile crypto assets. Such a safeguard protects inexperienced market participants from impulsive or financially dangerous moves.

Selection criteria and investor protection

When compiling the approved list, the regulator focused primarily on the most liquid assets available in the global marketplace. Key metrics were taken into account, including total market capitalization, average daily trading volume, and a verified pricing history on foreign trading platforms of at least five years. This methodical approach is designed to restrict unqualified investors from accessing highly risky and obscure digital tokens.

According to the Bank of Russia's strategy, filtering out speculative and unverified instruments will significantly lower system-wide and individual financial risks for the general population. Ensuring that only well-established and time-tested assets are publicly accessible helps maintain market integrity and consumer protection.

What this means for the market

Legalizing the purchase of core cryptocurrencies for a broad audience marks an important milestone in integrating digital assets into the official financial framework. While the 300,000-ruble annual limit is relatively modest for high-net-worth individuals, it officially opens a regulated and secure gateway into the crypto economy for millions of everyday citizens looking to diversify their savings.