Russia Set to Permit Crypto Payments for Securities, Broaden Token Swaps Under Revised Law

- State Duma approves new crypto law expanding investor rights and payment options - Central Bank gains authority to approve more cryptocurrencies beyond Bitcoin and Ethereum Russia’s State Duma has approved amendments to its “digital currency” legislation, and the changes grant permission for crypto payments in securities transactions while broadening rights for investors. The Committee on Financial Markets has advanced the revised bill for its second reading, and lawmakers aim to expand the use of cryptocurrencies and bolster the integration of digital assets into Russia’s financial system. If the Federation Council and President Vladimir Putin approve the bill, the changes are expected to take effect as early as September 1. 2026-07-08 On July 8, 2026 (UTC), Cryptopolitan reported that the amended law allows investors to use cryptocurrencies to purchase securities outside of public offerings, and it also permits investors to swap between multiple coins and pay blockchain transfer fees using digital assets. In addition, the reforms introduce new regulatory categories for qualified and non-qualified investors and establish a licensing regime for crypto service providers. According to Cryptopolitan on July 8, 2026, the law grants the Central Bank authority to approve additional cryptocurrencies beyond existing benchmarks like Bitcoin and Ethereum, and lawmakers designed these changes to encourage broader investor participation while maintaining comprehensive oversight. Regulators anticipate enforcement from September 1, pending final legislative approvals, and the revised rules are expected to impact investor access, payment methods, and the inclusion of more global cryptocurrencies within Russia’s financial framework. As of July 8, 15:09 UTC, Bitcoin (BTC) is trading at $61,724.17 with a -2.672% change, while Ethereum (ETH) is trading at $1,722.71 with a -3.45% change. Meanwhile, Tether USDt (USDT) is trading at $0.999 with a -0.045% change, and USDC is trading at $1 with a 0.003% change.