Russia is set to launch regulated cryptocurrency trading on its exchanges starting July 1, 2026, marking a significant policy shift from its previous crypto ban. The Moscow and St. Petersburg exchanges have confirmed their technical readiness to implement new regulations that classify cryptocurrencies as financial assets. These regulations will include retail trading limits and mandatory KYC and AML checks. This development follows a series of economic adjustments in Russia, including increased domestic crypto mining and efforts to reduce reliance on the U.S. dollar. The move represents a notable change in stance from 2021 when Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina opposed cryptocurrency adoption.