Russia Crypto news: Bank of Russia Sets Strict 1% Limit on Banks The Bank of Russia proposed a new Russia crypto news on September 18, 2026, limiting how much bank can be tied to digital curr
Russia Crypto news: Bank of Russia Sets Strict 1% Limit on Banks
The Bank of Russia proposed a new Russia crypto news on September 18, 2026, limiting how much bank can be tied to digital currencies and foreign instruments.
This Bank of Russia crypto rule requires credit institutions to keep such exposure within the 1% crypto cap of their own funds under two new ratios.
The rule covers direct holdings, crypto linked derivatives, loans, bonds and repo deals whose value depends on digital currencies.
The draft has been published for public review before formal adoption.
The Russia crypto news works through two ratios:
N31, applied to individual credit institutions on a solo basis
N32, applied to banking groups on a consolidated basis
Both ratios are measured against the institution's own capital, not total assets, and both carry the same 1% ceiling. The Bank of Russia said assets with low blockage and liquidity risk may get limited netting of offsetting long and short positions.
The published draft sets a clear line for digital asset custody rules. This is effectively the crypto custody rule that custodial banks will need to follow:
Asset type
Included in cap
Risk weight
Bank's own crypto exposure
Yes
1,250%
Client custody, bank liable
Yes
1,250%
Client custody, bank not liable
No
50%
A client custodial assets crypto position where the bank carries no responsibility for seizure or sanctions related loss stays outside the Russia crypto capital requirement, though it still carries a risk weight.
This capital adequacy ratio banks framework builds on existing crypto risk weight banking practice at Russian lenders.
The Bank of Russia said the N31 N32 crypto ratio only counts client custody exposure when the bank, or a digital custodian in its group, bears responsibility for losses.
Draft published for review on September 18, 2026
Formal Instruction expected in Q4 2026
Rule takes effect 10 days after official publication
Banks begin reporting N31 and N32 data from January 2027
Detailed reporting forms are still being finalized, according to the regulator's published notice.
(Source: https://cbr.ru/StaticHtml/File/41186/260918-23-1.pdf)
Wu Blockchain also covered this Bank of Russia crypto regulation 2026 update in a post on X shortly after the draft appeared.
The Russia digital asset regulation push follows earlier informal guidance where the central bank had already nudged lenders toward a near 1% ceiling while this formal cap was drafted.
Analysts tracking Russian banking regulation crypto policy suggest this Russia bank crypto exposure limit could push lenders toward licensed custodians instead of direct balance sheet exposure to digital currencies.
This shift may also influence how other regulators approach crypto news today, as banks worldwide weigh digital assets on their books.
Readers following crypto news should watch the January 2027 reporting deadline as the next real test of the Russia crypto news.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Regulatory proposals can change before final adoption.
