The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) is gearing up to begin cryptocurrency trading by early 2027, aiming to align with new regulatory frameworks approved by the Russian government. Sergey Shvetsov, head of MOEX’s supervisory board, announced the timeline during the exchange’s recent forum.
”We plan to be technologically ready as soon as the law takes effect – which I expect to happen early next year – and then start operations,” Shvetsov told RBC Investments.
Sergey Shvetsov, MOEX supervisory board chairman
This rollout hinges on Russia’s upcoming cryptocurrency regulation laws, approved in late March 2024. These laws will create a formal framework for digital asset trading, granting access to all categories of investors – including retail – under new licensing rules.
Under the new rules, crypto operations licenses will be granted to digital custodians, exchanges, brokers, and trust managers. This marks a major shift in Russia’s approach, as the market has largely been unregulated or unofficial until now.
Currently, MOEX offers futures contracts on crypto indexes – Bitcoin (MOEXBTC) and Ethereum (MOEXETH) – launched in November 2023. However, these products are restricted to qualified investors only, pending broader regulatory approval for wider market access.
Compared to global crypto trading platforms like Coinbase and Binance, MOEX’s entry into cryptocurrency trading is slower but potentially more regulated, reflecting Russia’s cautious approach toward digital assets. The move could open cryptocurrency investments to a much larger segment of Russian investors, provided the licensing and compliance hurdles are cleared.
Looking ahead, the exact scope of cryptocurrency trading operations, supported cryptocurrencies, and investor protections will be key to watch. MOEX’s integration of crypto trading could pave the way for traditional financial institutions in Russia to embrace digital assets more fully – potentially reshaping the country’s financial landscape over the next five years.