Russia’s Crypto Law No. 282-FZ: What Changed on 1 September 2026
Federal Law No. 282-FZ “On Digital Currencies and Digital Rights” was signed on 4 August 2026 and has been in force since 1 September. It is Russia’s first law that fully describes how crypto is handled. Law No. 283-FZ, which amends related laws, took effect at the same time.
The key point for an ordinary person: crypto is now explicitly recognised as property, while paying with it for goods and services inside the country is still prohibited.
Crypto is property
The law defines digital currency as property. It can be bought and sold, exchanged, inherited, divided in a divorce and placed in trust management. It can be seized to pay debts and is included in the bankruptcy estate.
For owners it also means protection. A dispute over transferred crypto can now go to court as a property dispute — earlier, courts sometimes refused, citing its unclear status.
Paying with crypto inside Russia is banned
Using crypto to pay for goods, work and services inside the country is prohibited for both individuals and companies. Advertising that offers payment in crypto is banned too.
The exception is foreign trade settlements — payments under contracts with foreign companies.
Deals go through regulated intermediaries
The law builds market infrastructure: exchange organisations, brokers, trust managers and digital depositories that record residents’ crypto. It routes crypto deals through such intermediaries.
Private investors are divided into qualified and non-qualified. Non-qualified investors will be able to buy only crypto from the Bank of Russia’s list, after a test and within a limit. The list and the limit are set by the Bank of Russia.
Taxes: 13% and 15% of profit
Income from crypto operations is subject to personal income tax: 13% on income up to 2.4 million rubles a year and 15% on the amount above that. The tax is calculated on profit — the difference between the sale price and the purchase cost — not on the whole deal.
So keep proof of your purchase costs: orders, receipts, statements. Without them, tax is charged on the full sale amount.
Law No. 283-FZ introduced reporting by residents on digital-currency operations. Forms and procedures are being set by secondary regulations — follow the tax service’s guidance. More in our article “Crypto tax in 2026”.
What takes effect later
Some rules do not apply immediately: the law sets separate dates for certain provisions in its Article 56. The Bank of Russia is also still adopting acts on the list of cryptocurrencies, limits and how intermediaries work. So the rules will keep being clarified in the coming months.
Separately: droppers’ liability
This is not part of the crypto law, but it concerns the same operations. Since 5 July 2025, Law No. 176-FZ has added criminal liability for handing your card or account access to others and for passing other people’s money through your account. Penalties go as far as imprisonment. First-time offenders who help solve the crime can be released from liability.
The practical conclusion is simple: do not hand your card to others and do not accept money from strangers on it in exchange for crypto. How such schemes work is explained in our article on transfer scams.
What crypto owners should do now
- Keep purchase documents: orders, rate, amount, transfer confirmations.
- Do not pay with crypto for goods and services in Russia.
- Do not accept money from strangers on your card.
- Follow Bank of Russia acts and tax service guidance: some rules are still being clarified.
This is a plain-language summary of the law, not legal advice. For decisions on large amounts and taxes, consult a lawyer or tax adviser.
Frequently asked questions
Can I own crypto in 2026?
Yes. The law recognises crypto as property: you can own, sell and inherit it.
Can I pay with crypto in a shop?
No. Paying with crypto for goods and services inside Russia is prohibited.
What is the tax on selling crypto?
13% on income up to 2.4 million rubles a year and 15% above that. It is calculated on profit, not on the sale amount.
When did the law take effect?
On 1 September 2026. Some provisions take effect later — the dates are set in the law itself.
Sources: Federal Laws No. 282-FZ and No. 283-FZ of 04.08.2026, Federal Law No. 176-FZ of 24.06.2025.