In a major departure from its traditional stance, Russia is shaping a new cryptocurrency landscape with a significant shift toward embracing the digital economy.
The country’s tax authority is set to take the reins of this burgeoning sector, overseeing its operations and opening the gates for participants eager to explore the opportunities that cryptocurrencies offer.
A new era of crypto regulation in Russia
Deputy Finance Minister Alexey Moiseev, in a conversation with Izvestia Daily, revealed that the Federal Tax Service (FTS) would likely become the primary authority overseeing the country’s crypto industry.
This move signifies a radical departure from Russia’s earlier conservative stance on cryptocurrencies, reflecting a realization of the potential that this disruptive technology holds.
The legislative wheels are already in motion, with lawmakers working diligently to enact a series of laws pertaining to crypto assets during the imminent spring parliamentary session.
The proposed legislation aims to set the rules of engagement in the crypto space, and part of the plan involves appointing a state body to regulate the industry.
The FTS, which currently oversees foreign accounts, is seen as a logical choice. “In the concept that we have developed, the supervisory agency will accept declarations from people about their wallets and transactions,” explained Moiseev.
This parallel to foreign account regulation underlines the perceived similarities between crypto wallets and traditional banking.
Taxation and transparency
A significant part of Russia’s new approach is ensuring that both corporations and individuals who mine, hold, or sell cryptocurrencies on international markets declare their transactions and pay taxes on any income derived.
This information will be shared with three key institutions: the FTS, the financial watchdog Rosfinmonitoring, and the Central Bank of Russia.
The FTS will act as a window for citizens’ declarations, while the other institutions will receive data for their operations. This move is intended to ensure transparency and control over the crypto economy, which has often been criticized for its potential misuse.
The emergence of this regulatory framework coincides with a time of growing financial pressure on Russia due to the ongoing Western sanctions related to the Ukrainian crisis.
In response, Russia is accelerating efforts to legalize and regulate crypto activities, including mining and international settlements using digital assets.
The race for legislative clarity
In the State Duma, Russia’s lower house of parliament, four bills are currently under scrutiny. The goal is to pass these laws by the end of July, according to Anatoly Aksakov, head of the Financial Market Committee.
These bills seek to regulate various aspects of the crypto landscape, including mining, cross-border payments, taxation, and the legal responsibilities concerning the use of digital assets.
The adoption of these laws will provide much-needed clarity and legal certainty for large Russian companies already engaging in foreign trade settlements using cryptocurrency.
These companies, while enthusiastic about the potential of digital currencies, seek a clear legal framework to navigate this new and often turbulent financial landscape.
Russia is poised at the cusp of a new era in digital finance. The country’s move to regulate and embrace the crypto economy is a significant development, reflecting a broader global trend toward the acceptance of cryptocurrencies.
The next few months will be crucial in determining how this regulatory framework takes shape and its impact on the Russian economy and beyond.
