Russia's largest bourse is opening what it describes as the country's first organized digital currency market, with Bitcoin, Ether and Tether's USDT trading set to start on December 1. Pilot trades will begin as participants join the platform.

Trading will run on the existing stock-market infrastructure from 6:50 am to 11:50 pm Moscow time, with same-day and next-day settlement plus swap transactions, all cleared through the National Clearing Center (NCC).

Non-qualified investors must pass a test before buying and are capped at 300,000 rubles (about $3,700) per year through each broker.

The market operates under Russia's crypto law, in force since September 1, 2026, which allows regulated trading but keeps the ban on crypto payments for goods and services. Moscow Exchange and the NCC have been under US and UK sanctions since June 2024, and the EU added the exchange to its list in July 2026, which raises questions about demand and spreads.