Russia’s Finance Ministry and Central Bank to Launch Crypto Exchange for Super-Qualified Investors

Russia’s Ministry of Finance and Central Bank are set to launch a cryptocurrency exchange exclusively for super-qualified investors on April 25, 2025, as part of an experimental legal regime, according to Bitcoin Magazine and The Block. The move aims to bring crypto operations into a regulated framework while aligning with Russia’s broader de-dollarization strategy.

April 24, 2025 – Russia is taking a significant step toward integrating cryptocurrencies into its financial system, with the Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank announcing plans to launch a crypto exchange for super-qualified investors on April 25, 2025, as reported by Bitcoin Magazine and The Block. The platform, operating under an experimental legal regime (ELR), will cater exclusively to elite investors, marking a shift in Russia’s approach to digital assets amid efforts to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar.

The initiative builds on Russia’s previous crypto experiments, including trials for cross-border payments that began in September 2024 using the National Payment Card System (NPCS) to facilitate ruble-to-crypto exchanges. The new exchange will target “super-qualified investors,” a category defined by stringent wealth thresholds—previously proposed by the Central Bank as individuals with at least ₽100 million ($1 million) in securities or deposits, or an annual income exceeding ₽50 million ($500,000), though these criteria may be adjusted, per Bitcoin Magazine. Finance Minister Anton Siluanov emphasized that the platform will help legalize crypto assets and bring operations “out of the shadows,” but clarified that transactions will occur outside Russia under the ELR framework.

The Block reported that the exchange will operate similarly to traditional financial platforms, with strict KYC/AML compliance, and will initially support major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) . This aligns with Russia’s broader de-dollarization efforts, as part of the BRICS alliance’s push to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar in international trade—a strategy that includes exploring crypto for cross-border settlements, as noted in prior Yahoo Finance coverage. The Central Bank, which has historically opposed crypto as a means of payment, also proposed banning crypto transactions between residents outside the ELR and enforcing penalties for violations.

The platform’s launch coincides with other global developments, such as New Hampshire’s Bitcoin Reserve Bill passing on April 23, 2025, and a Crypto Insights Group survey showing 70% of hedge funds expect Bitcoin’s dominance to rise.

However, challenges remain, including regulatory uncertainties and the Central Bank’s cautious stance on broader crypto adoption. As Russia navigates its crypto ambitions, the exchange could set a precedent for regulated crypto markets in other nations, though its impact on retail investors and global markets remains to be seen.