REGULATION | Russia to Ban Direct P2P Crypto Trades and Self-Custody From H2 2027 - BitKE

Russia is reportedly preparing to prohibit direct peer-to-peer cryptocurrency transactions and the self-custody of digital assets, with the measures set to take effect in the second half of 2027. According to BitKE, the planned restrictions target the ability of individuals to trade crypto directly with one another and to hold tokens outside regulated platforms.

The development matters because peer-to-peer trading and self-custody have long been core features of crypto markets, particularly in regions where access to formal exchanges is limited or costly. Restricting both could push activity toward licensed intermediaries, where transactions become subject to reporting and identity checks. That shift may reduce anonymity but also concentrate liquidity and oversight in fewer venues.

What to watch is how the rules are drafted and enforced. Key questions include whether the ban covers all digital assets, how self-custody would be defined or detected, and what penalties apply. For markets, clarity on timing and scope will matter more than the headline itself, since the measures are not due until 2027.