MOEX to open spot Bitcoin trading to retail investors on December 1

what happened

Crypto Briefing reports that Russia’s largest stock exchange, the Moscow Exchange, or MOEX, plans to begin spot trading in a limited group of digital assets for retail investors on December 1, 2026. Purchases by these investors will be capped at 300,000 rubles a year, approximately $3,600, and buyers will have to pass a knowledge test before placing orders. The retail lineup will consist of Bitcoin, Ether and Tether’s USDT stablecoin.

MOEX has so far provided crypto exposure through derivatives, which follow an asset’s price without transferring ownership of the asset itself. The new spot format will allow investors to hold the digital coins. Qualified investors will not face the purchase ceiling and will be able to trade a broader selection of digital assets.

The framework is based on Federal Law No. 282-FZ, effective since September 1, 2026. MOEX began system trials with professional market participants on October 1, 2026. It will use its existing trading infrastructure and licenses, while digital depositories will support settlement. Sberbank and VTB are preparing related services for clients ahead of the launch. Analysts estimate that about 80% of digital-asset turnover will remain in unregulated channels, where there are no purchase limits or tests and thousands of tokens are available. Transactions executed on MOEX will instead be processed through approved depositories and fall under central bank supervision.

why it matters

The launch could give regulators and banks greater visibility into trading in major digital assets. However, the restricted menu and annual ceiling may leave a substantial share of activity on offshore and other unregulated platforms.

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