Belarus has expanded its approved list of underlying assets for non-deliverable OTC instruments to include digital tokens such as cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. The change was set out in a joint resolution dated May 23 and published Tuesday, taking effect on Wednesday, May 27, and is expected to support broader integration of crypto into the country's financial system.

The National Bank of Kazakhstan plans to begin purchasing cryptocurrencies and shares of crypto-related companies in April and May 2026, using up to $350 million from the country's gold and foreign exchange reserves. Authorities intend to eventually expand this state-controlled "National Strategic Crypto Reserve" to about $700 million by adding funds from the National Fund of Kazakhstan and confiscated digital coins. Senior officials say they are now selecting eligible companies and instruments, with the earmarked money temporarily parked in other money market assets until the first crypto investments are made.

On March 4, 2026, a senior official from Russia's finance ministry stated that Moscow wants to legalize stablecoin payments under a dedicated law while continuing to prohibit cryptocurrency as a means of settlement. The ministry intends to classify stablecoins, other crypto assets, and digital financial assets as different types of instruments, with fiat-pegged tokens treated as closest to standard money and regulated after a broader crypto framework is adopted.

According to a copy obtained by RBC and cited by Bits.media, the Bank of Russia and the Finance Ministry drafted a law to regulate digital-asset trading, with adoption expected in the spring session and effect no later than July 1, 2025. The bill sets licensing for venues, a 3.5 million-ruble monthly turnover bar for registrants, caps on annual purchases, testing, and transaction identifiers with reporting of transfers ≥100,000 rubles.

Russia's tax service says more than 5,500 crypto miners are now declaring their output, split between 1,500 companies and sole proprietors and 4,000 individuals. Mining was legalized by laws adopted in August and October 2024, and both registered operators and small-scale users must submit monthly reports via FNS accounts, with an online registration process available.

The Central Bank of Russia signaled that foreign crypto platforms can operate if they set up locally registered subsidiaries and comply with national rules. Under the forthcoming framework, transactions must go through regulated intermediaries, with administrative liability for using unlicensed services from July 1, 2027. First regulated crypto trades are expected by the end of 2026.

On February 20 2026, Russia’s Federal Tax Service initiated bankruptcy proceedings against BitRiver-B, a BitRiver subsidiary behind a 100 MW data center project in Buryatia that never went live. The group had invested 1.4 billion rubles (over $18 million) in the facility but was hit by expanding regional mining restrictions, a subsequent five-year Bitcoin mining ban in Buryatia, mounting lawsuits, and tax evasion accusations against its founder. The failed investment is seen as a major factor in BitRiver’s broader operational and financial troubles across Russia.

Russia is preparing to limit access to overseas cryptocurrency exchanges in 2026, with lawmakers aiming to adopt domestic rules for investment and exchange by July 1. Analysts say blocks could follow once local licenses are issued, potentially affecting platforms such as Bybit and OKX, while one estimate puts foreign-exchange fees from Russian users at $15 billion.

On February 14, 2026, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said BRICS members are working on a dedicated exchange for precious metals alongside a grain market initiative. The plan emerges after gold prices surged above $5,600 in January, dropped toward $4,600 in early February, then moved back over $5,000 amid heightened volatility. BRICS officials also highlight broader efforts to reduce exposure to U.S. pressure through alternative platforms, digital systems, and greater use of national currencies.