Russia Plans to Launch Bitcoin And Ethereum Perpetuals

MOEX Eyes September Launch for Crypto Perpetuals

Russia's largest stock market, the Moscow Exchange (MOEX), is preparing to add perpetual futures on $BTC and $ETH to its crypto derivatives lineup, ahead of the enforcement of the country's new digital currency law next month. The first two perpetual crypto contracts are expected to be available for trading as early as September, according to Maria Patrikeeva, managing director of the exchange's derivatives market.

The contracts will be settled in Russian rubles, meaning traders will receive cash rather than actual cryptocurrency. Access to the new instruments will initially be restricted to qualified and professional investors. Looking further ahead, the crypto lineup is expected to expand to ten coins.

Cryptocurrency derivatives first appeared on the Moscow Exchange's futures market in the summer of 2025. Currently, qualified investors can already work with monthly and quarterly contracts linked to Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Ripple, and Tron. In February 2026, MOEX moved to add SOL, XRP, and TRX futures to its crypto lineup. The perpetual contracts for $BTC and $ETH represent the next step in that expansion.

New Digital Currency Law Sets the Stage

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a crypto law establishing market rules for exchanges, custodians, and investors, with core provisions taking effect in September 2026. The law creates a legal framework for exchanges, depositories, and other digital asset providers, restricts crypto trading to entities in a special registry, caps annual purchases by retail investors at about $3,800 per licensed intermediary, and grants judicial protection to holders of digital currencies.

The core provisions of the law take effect on September 1, 2026, while some measures will take effect on July 1, 2027. The law also maintains a ban on using crypto assets to pay for goods and services inside Russia. The Moscow Exchange is effectively creating a regulated framework in which traditional investors can gain crypto exposure without opening an overseas account or taking the asset directly into a personal wallet.

Sources:
Crypto Briefing: Russia plans September 2026 rollout of crypto market law
CoinTelegraph: Putin Signs Russia Crypto Bill Into Law
CoinDesk: Russia passes historic crypto rules to regulate trading