The Russian Central Bank is in discussions with the Ministry of Finance to ease cryptocurrency regulations, potentially expanding participation beyond "qualified investors." First Deputy Governor Vladimir Chistyukhin highlighted the need to relax current restrictions due to limited cross-border payments. Previously, a Deputy Finance Minister indicated that regulators are prepared to abandon the "qualified investor" definition. Chistyukhin also suggested that crypto assets could become "normal financial instruments" and expects a clear policy stance by the end of the year.