Bank of Russia Confirms Ban on Peer-to-Peer Bitcoin Trading by July 2027

The Bank of Russia confirmed in an October 12 FAQ that direct peer-to-peer crypto trades between individuals are legal only until July 1, 2027, under Federal Law No. 282-FZ. After this date, residents must trade crypto only through licensed intermediaries, such as Bank of Russia-registered brokers and exchange organizations. The regulator also prohibits individuals from moving crypto to non-custodial wallets or transferring it between individuals via depository-run addresses. Sberbank joined the central bank's crypto exchange register on October 12 and plans to launch crypto products on December 1. Non-qualified investors can purchase up to 300,000 rubles annually, with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT being the only coins listed for non-qualified buyers.