Russia’s Legal Framework for Crypto Trading, Custody, and Cross-Border Settlements Takes Effect

This is a landmark shift for Russia's digital asset landscape, moving crypto activities from a gray area into a formal legal structure. The explicit coverage of custody and cross-border settlements signals a focus on using crypto for international trade, which could reshape how Russian entities transact globally. The immediate impact hinges on how strictly the framework is enforced and whether it fosters genuine market participation or simply adds compliance layers. Watching whether foreign counterparties and exchanges adapt to these rules will be key to gauging its real-world effect.