Russia has finalized a common testing standard for cryptocurrency investors, with brokerage firms expected to become the first regulated intermediaries to assess customers before allowing digital asset purchases and sales. The announcement was made by Ekaterina Andreeva, First Vice President of the National Association of Securities Market Participants (NAUFOR), during Crypto Summit 2026. She confirmed that brokers could begin administering the tests by the end of November.
According to Andreeva, draft standards were submitted last week to the committee responsible for reviewing basic standards at the Bank of Russia. Once published, the framework will establish common questions and procedures for brokers, cryptocurrency exchanges, exchange operators and other licensed intermediaries. Investors who pass the assessment through one licensed intermediary will be able to use their results across other regulated cryptocurrency platforms without retaking the test.
The testing framework is part of Russia's broader digital currency regime under Federal Law No. 282-FZ, which took effect on September 1. The law created a regulated market for cryptocurrency trading and custody, allowing both qualified and nonqualified investors to access digital assets through authorized intermediaries. Under the rules, investors must complete identity verification and pass a knowledge assessment before purchasing or trading cryptocurrencies.
The Bank of Russia plans different testing requirements for qualified and nonqualified investors. Deputy Governor Mikhail Mamuta said retail participants would face a basic examination covering cryptocurrency risks and the characteristics of available assets. Their investment options will follow a whitelist approach, limiting purchases to highly liquid cryptocurrencies approved for regulated trading. The central bank previously proposed allowing Bitcoin, Ether and Tether's USDT to trade through licensed exchanges, while retaining authority over eligible assets.
Nonqualified investors may purchase up to 300,000 rubles worth of eligible cryptocurrencies annually through each intermediary after passing the assessment. Qualified investors face no equivalent purchase limit and can access a larger selection of digital assets, but must demonstrate understanding of more complex investment risks. Separately, NAUFOR is developing a testing framework for digital financial assets, while the existing annual purchase limit of 600,000 rubles remains in place for certain retail investments.
