The Bank of Russia has approved a new framework allowing licensed domestic forex dealers to offer cryptocurrency CFDs, marking the first time digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum can be traded through the country’s regulated OTC forex market.
The new Basic Standard for forex operations, approved on July 9, 2026, enables licensed dealers to launch crypto CFDs. Alfa-Forex is expected to become the first provider, with Bitcoin (BTC/USD) and Ether (ETH/USD) CFDs set to go live on July 14.
The move ends years of regulatory uncertainty for Russia’s forex industry. Licensed dealers had long sought approval to offer crypto-linked products, arguing they were losing clients to offshore brokers and crypto trading platforms.
Previously, domestic forex dealers were prohibited from offering cryptocurrency-related instruments, leaving them out of one of the fastest-growing retail trading segments. Regulatory ambiguity also led BCS Forex to withdraw crypto-related products in late 2025 following a dispute over existing rules.
The new framework provides greater legal clarity and reduces the risk of similar regulatory reversals.
Under the rules, crypto CFDs will be available only to qualified investors. Alfa-Forex is expected to offer the products with leverage of up to 1:10, reflecting the central bank’s cautious regulatory approach.
While the restrictions may limit mass-market adoption, they allow licensed dealers to better compete for higher-value clients within a regulated environment.
According to relevant data, cryptocurrencies accounted for just 1.3% of global CFD trading volume in the first quarter of 2026. Although crypto remains a relatively small part of the CFD market, it continues to play an important role in attracting and engaging traders.