Odaily Planet Daily report: The Russian State Duma has completed the second and third readings and successfully passed Bill No. 1194918-8, "Digital Currencies and Digital Rights." The bill establishes a comprehensive licensed regulatory framework for the cryptocurrency market, covering cryptocurrency exchanges, brokers, asset managers, and custodians, with licenses issued and regulated uniformly by the Central Bank of Russia.
The policy implements differentiated rules, permitting businesses to use digital assets for cross-border trade settlements, while strictly prohibiting the use of cryptocurrencies for payments of goods and services within Russia. The core provisions of the bill are scheduled to take effect on September 1, 2026, with certain supporting regulations entering into force gradually by July 1, 2027. After completing the State Duma process, the bill must still be reviewed by the Federation Council and ultimately signed by President Putin to become official federal law.