Russia’s Duma Passes Crypto Regulation Bill, Sets 2026 Start and 2027 P2P Ban

TL;DR: Russia’s State Duma approved a crypto regulation bill with 327 of 340 votes, setting a legal framework for licensed crypto trading from July 2026 and a ban on unmediated peer‑to‑peer trades from July 2027.

The State Duma is the lower house of Russia’s parliament and the first reading of the bill ended with overwhelming support. As a government‑sponsored proposal, it is expected to move smoothly through the remaining readings and receive Federation Council approval before presidential signature.

The vote count shows 327 deputies in favor and 13 opposed or abstaining. The law is scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, pending final passage. From that date, Russians may acquire crypto only through licensed intermediaries, and only assets meeting high market‑capitalization, trading‑volume, and operational‑history thresholds will be eligible for organized exchange trading.

A ban on crypto transactions without licensed intermediaries will begin on July 1, 2027. Peer‑to‑peer trades will remain legal until that date, although payment‑blocking systems and blacklisting mechanisms are slated to start earlier in 2026. The law also grants the central bank authority to impose withdrawal limits and requires non‑qualified investors to pass testing and observe annual purchase caps.

Market data shows Bitcoin (BTC) trading at $27,300, market cap $530 billion, up 2.1% in the past 24 hours. Ethereum (ETH) is at $1,800, market cap $220 billion, up 1.5% over the same period. The S&P 500 index rose 0.8% today, providing a benchmark for risk‑asset sentiment.

The regulation aims to increase transparency, curb illicit use, and channel crypto activity through state‑approved channels while preserving limited peer‑to‑peer flexibility until the 2027 deadline.

Watch for the State Duma’s second reading in the coming weeks, any proposed amendments, and the subsequent Federation Council vote, which will determine whether the July 2026 implementation proceeds as planned.