Putin signs law on official regulation of cryptocurrency

Putin has signed a law that formalizes the handling of digital assets in Russian criminal proceedings. This document marks an important milestone in the development of cryptocurrency law in Russia. Now, cryptocurrency assets have a clear legal status and no longer exist in a legal gray area.

What has changed in the legislation

The new provision establishes a clear procedural mechanism for working with digital assets during criminal investigations. Investigative authorities are now required to record cryptocurrency assets that may be involved in criminal schemes.

When conducting investigative actions, it is now necessary to document:

• Type of cryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum, altcoins)
• Exact amount of assets
• Wallet addresses and other identification data

This approach ensures standardization and transparency of the process, preventing data loss when assets are seized.

Legal status and market implications

Cryptocurrency is granted official status as tangible property within civil and criminal proceedings. This means digital assets can be seized, included in case materials, and used as evidence in court, just like physical property.

For the market, this has a dual effect. On one hand, embedding cryptocurrencies into legislation indicates recognition of their role in the Russian economy and the gradual institutionalization of the sector. On the other hand, alongside legal recognition, regulatory pressure is increasing — authorities now have more tools to monitor cryptocurrency transactions.

This shows that Russia is moving toward systematic regulation of digital assets, combining their recognition with tighter oversight. Putin has signed a law that will determine the development trajectory of the cryptocurrency market in the coming years.