Report Says Bank of Russia Restricts Withdrawals from Regulated Crypto Accounts to Self-Custody Wallets

AT A GLANCE

The report stated that the Bank of Russia restricts individuals from withdrawing cryptocurrency from regulated digital accounts to self-custody wallets.

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[Bank of Russia Prohibits Withdrawals from Regulated Crypto Accounts to Self-Custody Wallets]

The Bank of Russia, in October 12 updated guidance, clarified that individuals may not withdraw cryptocurrency from regulated digital accounts to self-custody wallets they control. The central bank stated that this restriction is based on Russia's new cryptocurrency market law (Federal Law No. 282-FZ) Article 31(9), which took effect on September 1, 2026. A digital account is a statutory account used to record crypto assets, while a digital custodian is a registered entity that records and transfers such assets and provides access to wallet addresses. The restriction applies to withdrawals under Russia's regulated custody framework. For withdrawals from ordinary investment accounts, the rules cover resident individuals and provide no exemption for qualified investors. Under Article 31, individuals who pass the required test and receive risk disclosures may transfer cryptocurrency to wallets managed by legally authorized foreign custodians, which differs from withdrawing to personal wallets outside institutional custody. The law also separately provides exceptions for foreign trade settlements and mining. The central bank also stated that transfers between individuals using addresses managed by digital custodians are not permitted, including transfers arising from transactions between individuals. These provisions form part of the general cryptocurrency market law rather than rules applicable only to participants in experimental programs. The central bank stated that direct peer-to-peer transactions between individuals are permitted only until July 1, 2027, when Article 30(1) takes effect; thereafter, residents not authorized as cryptocurrency market intermediaries must conduct transactions through or with the involvement of authorized intermediaries. Available channels include licensed brokers and cryptocurrency exchange operators listed on the Bank of Russia's register.

Key points

The report stated that the Bank of Russia October 12 updated the relevant guidance.
The report stated that individuals may not withdraw cryptocurrency from regulated digital accounts to self-custody wallets they control.
The Bank of Russia stated that the restriction is based on Federal Law No. 282-FZ Article 31(9, which took effect on September 1, 2026.
The report stated that the restriction applies to withdrawals under Russia's regulated custody framework, covering resident individuals with ordinary investment accounts and providing no exemption for qualified investors.
The report stated that individuals who pass the required test and receive risk disclosures may transfer cryptocurrency to wallets managed by legally authorized foreign custodians.
The report stated that the law separately provides exceptions for foreign trade settlements and mining.
The Bank of Russia stated that transfers between individuals using addresses managed by digital custodians are also not permitted.
The Bank of Russia stated that direct peer-to-peer transactions between individuals are permitted only until July 1, 2027; thereafter, the relevant residents must conduct transactions through or with the involvement of authorized intermediaries.

AI-assisted interpretation

The following is analysis, separate from reported facts. Verify important claims independently.

Put simply, within the Russian regulated custody framework described in the report, individuals cannot directly transfer cryptocurrency in their accounts to self-custody wallets they control. If testing and risk-disclosure requirements are met, transfers may be made to wallets managed by legally authorized foreign custodians; foreign trade settlements and mining are subject to separate exceptions.

Why it matters to readers

If the report is accurate, options for users of Russian regulated accounts to self-custody cryptocurrency and conduct direct transfers between individuals will be restricted, and transactions may rely more heavily on authorized custodians, intermediaries, licensed brokers, or registered exchange operators.

Beginners need to distinguish between self-custody wallets and institutional custody wallets: access credentials for the former are generally controlled by individuals, while the latter are managed by institutions. The restriction described applies to transfers from Russian regulated digital accounts to personal wallets outside institutional custody.

Risks and unknowns

The evidence consists only of a Chinese-language Telegram retelling and does not include the original Bank of Russia guidance or legal text; the relevant provisions, dates, and scope of application cannot be independently verified.
The report does not specify the implementation methods, penalties, or implementation arrangements of individual custodians.

Report Says Bank of Russia Restricts Withdrawals from Regulated Crypto Accounts to Self-Custody Wallets

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