OREANDA-NEWS   The Bank of Russia has shared details about a new experimental mode for transactions with cryptocurrencies. According to the regulator's proposals sent to the Cabinet of Ministers, its purchase and sale under a special experimental legal regime (EPR), which will be in effect in the Russian Federation for three years, can only be allowed to "specially qualified" investors.

It is expected that people will be able to receive this status if their investments in securities and deposits exceed 100 million rubles or their annual income is more than 50 million. It is also proposed to allow companies that are qualified investors under current legislation to participate in the experiment.

For financial organizations that want to invest in cryptocurrencies, they promise to establish regulatory requirements, taking into account the level and nature of the risks of such an asset. The Central Bank also once again reminded that it still does not consider the specified instrument as a means of payment, and therefore it is proposed to prohibit Russians from paying for transactions with cryptocurrency outside the EPR, as well as to establish responsibility for violating this ban.

At the same time, it is planned that all qualified investors will be able to invest in settlement derivatives, securities and digital financial assets that do not provide for the supply of cryptocurrencies, but are linked to their value by profitability.

A week ago, the Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation indicated that, as expected, investors who were called superqualified in the department would be able to participate in experimental auctions. It was noted that the criteria for attribution to this category are not yet finalized, but a "very high bar" will be set for individuals participating in the auction. The current property qualification for qualified investors in the Russian Federation is 12 million rubles, and from 2026 it will rise to 24 million.