Russia's Digital Economy Bill Supported by State Duma Committee in Move Towards Crypto Regulation

Russian State Duma's Committee for Legislative Work will support the first reading of an initiative that will add the basic norms of digital economy to the Russian Federation Civil Code.

This is the latest step on the road to regulating cryptocurrency in the country, local news outlet Izvestia reports Wednesday, May 16.

Pavel Krasheninnikov of political party United Russia and head of the Legislative Work committee, told Izvestia that the initiative aims to "Minimize the existing risks of using digital objects for transferring assets into an unregulated digital environment for legalization of criminal incomes, bankruptcy fraud or for sponsoring terrorist groups."

The initiative, which is scheduled to be considered next week, does not mean that digital currencies will now become a legitimate means of payment.

Instead, a separate law developed by the Central Bank, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ministry of Economic Development will set conditions for digital currencies to be used as payment "In controlled quantities." The initiative does assert that digital confirmation by a user in a smart contract is equal to his written consent.

Russia first prepared a bill "On Digital Financial Assets" in March of this year, which would provide federal laws governing cryptocurrencies and Initial Coin Offerings inspired by President Vladimir Putin's decision to begin crypto regulation on July 1.

The March 20 draft defines crypto and digital tokens are assets only to be traded on authorized exchanges, also requiring user account at crypto exchanges to comply with AML and counter terrorism financing regulations.

A review draft of the bill from mid-April added that the exchange of crypto for fiat above around $9,600 will be subject to mandatory currency exchange regulation.

"On the one hand, these are opportunities that we have no right to miss. On the other hand, while they are outside the legal field, they can be used to give bribes, withdraw money in the case of bankruptcy, pay 'black salaries, and simply get stolen - with no repercussions."