Russia plans to introduce criminal liability for illegal cryptocurrency circulation. In the basic version, such operations may face a fine of 100 to 300 thousand rubles, forced labor, or imprisonment for up to four years.
If it concerns large-scale damage or an organized group, the punishment will become stricter — up to seven years of imprisonment and a fine of up to one million rubles.
Illegal circulation refers to any cryptocurrency transactions that occur outside of established rules. At the same time, "large-scale" damage is proposed to be considered an amount from 3.5 million rubles, and "especially large-scale" — from 13 million.
The Investigative Committee and the FSB will investigate such cases. The amendments are planned to be introduced from July 1, 2027.
In parallel, separate measures are being prepared for other market participants. For example, exchanges may be fined up to one million rubles for violating restrictions, and their managers may be disqualified.
Separate liability will also appear for miners. If their activities have caused large-scale damage, fines of up to 1.5 million rubles or mandatory work are possible. In case of especially large-scale damage — up to five years of imprisonment.
All this is part of a broader reform. The main law on cryptocurrency regulation may come into effect as early as July 1, 2026. It introduces rules for exchanges, brokers, and exchangers, who will have to obtain licenses and work only in non-cash format.
In fact, Russia is trying to move the cryptocurrency market from the "gray zone" to a regulated one — with clear rules and strict liability for their violation.