Russian brokers could begin testing clients for crypto trading by late November 2026, as the industry prepares a common standard for assessing investor knowledge, RBC reported.
Important Read: Bitcoin trades near $80,000 after Fed holds rates as Asian stocks fall
Broker expected to go first
Speaking at Crypto Summit 2026, National Association of Securities Market Participants (NAUFOR) First Vice President Ekaterina Andreeva said that the draft reached the Bank of Russia’s basic standards committee the previous week.
By the end of November, brokerage firms will be the first to test their clients’ ability to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. This is important because we expect the testing to be comprehensive. Once this standard is published, representatives from other industries will be able to familiarize themselves with both the questions and the testing procedures. We expect the procedures and framework to be consistent for both exchanges and digital depositories, said Andreeva.
She expects a common question bank and testing procedures for brokers, crypto exchange providers, and digital depositories.
Different tests for different investors
Both qualified and non-qualified investors will be covered under the framework. In an earlier discussion published by NAUFOR, Bank of Russia official Mikhail Mamuta said the assessments should reflect the different assets available to each group.
Mamuta argued that the “whitelist” principle would apply to unqualified investors. They would access a limited amount of the most liquid cryptocurrencies. Qualified investors would have broader access, and their test would focus on more sophisticated risk management and knowledge.
In separate guidance updated on October 26, the Bank of Russia states that passing a test is a condition for resident individuals to acquire cryptocurrencies.
Separate registration rules for crypto exchange providers and digital depositories took effect on October 5. Brokers operate under Bank of Russia securities-market licenses.
Andreeva also said separate tests for investors purchasing digital financial assets (DFA) are also being developed, with their structure and question count still under discussion. The central bank classifies those assets separately from cryptocurrencies.
Recognition across platforms needs clarification
Andreeva said she expects successful test results to be recognized across regulated crypto platforms. This would potentially allow investors to avoid repeating the process with each provider.
However, the Bank of Russia’s October 26 guidance links a positive result to the organization administering the test. It permits that organization to use the result across its different intermediary roles.
It is still unclear how separate companies will share or accept these test results until the official rules are formally published.
Sign up on WEEX and roll for a chance to win a share of the $1,000,000 prize pool.
