Sber forecasts $46.4 billion crypto trading volume in Russia after legalization

Rising Volume and Regulatory Outlook

Anatoly Popov, Deputy Chairman of Sber, reported that by 2029, annual trading volumes for regulated platforms in Russia could climb to 7.5 trillion rubles. Popov emphasized that these forecasts remain conservative due to persistent activity on unregulated international exchanges, which many Russian users may continue to favor despite the legal changes.

The updated estimates arrive just weeks before comprehensive regulations are set to take effect. President Vladimir Putin enacted the new rules on August 4, with implementation scheduled for September 1. Policymakers expect that legal clarity will facilitate growth in domestic trading, but widespread migration of activity from offshore platforms remains uncertain.

Popov has identified a potential shift but cautioned that “a large share of crypto transactions will continue to be conducted through exchanges that are not regulated in Russia, bypassing trading on organized platforms.”

New Asset Listings and Investor Restrictions

On August 11, the Bank of Russia outlined a preliminary list of digital assets eligible for public trading on regulated exchanges under the forthcoming laws. This list incorporates Bitcoin, Ether, and Tether’s stablecoin USDT.

The new regulations establish distinct limitations for investors. Non-qualified investors face a cap of 300,000 rubles in annual cryptocurrency purchases per intermediary, such as brokers or licensed exchange services. In contrast, qualified investors will not encounter any predefined limits on the amount of crypto assets traded, whether on exchanges or over-the-counter markets.

Non-qualified investors will be able to buy up to 300,000 rubles worth of cryptocurrency each year through a single intermediary, while qualified investors will have unrestricted access to crypto assets under the new rules.

The central bank’s asset list and outlined restrictions are seen as steps to balance market accessibility with risk management measures for retail participants.

Technical Edge for Market Participants

As investors prepare for a changing landscape, industry observers have highlighted the need for efficient tools to monitor volatile market movements. In situations where a sudden Federal Reserve decision or a major altcoin listing can swiftly reshape trading, shifting between multiple platforms for charts, news, and portfolio data can undermine traders’ agility. Many market participants are turning to privacy-focused solutions such as CryptoAppsy, which offer real-time charts, smart price s, coin-specific news, and macroeconomic updates—consolidated on a single interface and without requiring account registration.

Regulatory Enforcement Actions

Alongside upcoming reforms, Russian authorities have increased oversight efforts targeting unlawful crypto trading. Law enforcement recently acted against nine cryptocurrency exchanges operating without proper authorization in Moscow City, signaling continued state intervention aimed at curbing unregulated trading.

Officials expect that stricter rules and robust enforcement will help shift trading volumes to authorized platforms, although the entrenched use of offshore venues presents continued challenges.