Russian MPs vote for experimental cryptocurrency trading

Russia’s parliamentary financial committee has approved experimental exchange trading in cryptocurrencies that will be regulated by the country’s central bank, Interfax reported on Friday, citing a relevant bill. 

According to the report, the Bank of Russia will be able to establish the rules for trading in digital currencies within the pilot project.

The rules will reportedly specify how digital currencies are admitted for and will set the requirements for those overseeing the trading.

In the bill’s first reading, it was proposed to grant the regulator the authority to conduct an experiment on settlements in digital currencies for foreign economic activity. The MPs have now proposed to expand the regulator’s authority.

The legislation reportedly authorizes the central bank to build an experimental electronic platform for transactions with digital currencies based on the National Payment System (NPS) beginning September 1.

The Finance Ministry had previously proposed legalizing crypto exchanges in Russia. However, it failed to strike an agreement with the central bank.

Experts say the new legislation is an important step toward incorporating digital currencies into Russia’s banking and trading infrastructure, noting it may pave the path for wider acceptance and regulation in the future.

On Wednesday, the State Duma passed a bill in its first reading to legalize cryptocurrency mining in the country. The legislation outlines that the government, in cooperation with the central bank, will establish regulations for individuals and legal entities engaged in digital currency mining.

Russia has had a skeptical stance towards digital currencies, primarily due to concerns over the potential for illegal activities such as money laundering. However, recently the Finance Ministry has signaled a shift in its thinking and has said that it is ready to support new ways of facilitating international payments, including those involving cryptocurrencies. In December, the ministry suggested considering the idea of granting rights to crypto miners to export the currency as a commodity.