Crypto Exchanges in Russia: What’s Allowed, What’s Risky

When it comes to crypto exchanges Russia, online platforms where users buy, sell, or trade digital currencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. Also known as cryptocurrency trading platforms, they’ve become a lifeline for Russians cut off from traditional banking after 2022 sanctions. But here’s the catch: most global exchanges like Binance and Coinbase no longer serve Russian users directly. The Russian government doesn’t ban crypto outright—it just makes it nearly impossible to use foreign exchanges legally.

What’s left? A mix of local platforms that claim to comply with Russian law, peer-to-peer (P2P) markets, and offshore exchanges accessed via VPNs. Russian crypto regulation, a patchwork of laws requiring KYC, taxing crypto gains, and restricting foreign services. Also known as crypto compliance rules in Russia, it forces users to choose between legal risk and financial freedom. The Central Bank of Russia pushes for its own digital ruble, while quietly letting P2P trading thrive—because banning it would mean shutting down billions in daily volume. Meanwhile, users rely on wallets like Trust Wallet or MetaMask to move funds outside the country, since domestic exchanges rarely let you withdraw to foreign banks.

Some Russians use exchanges like Binance Russia, a former global leader that now blocks Russian IP addresses and restricts account access. Also known as Binance RU, it’s effectively offline for locals—but many still try to log in through proxies, risking account freezes. Others turn to local platforms like CEX.IO’s Russian branch or RuDEX, but these often have poor liquidity, high fees, and questionable security. And if you’re trading on a P2P platform like LocalBitcoins or Paxful, you’re dealing with cash deposits, bank transfers, and the ever-present risk of scams or chargebacks.

There’s no official list of approved crypto exchanges in Russia. The government doesn’t certify them—it just warns against using unlicensed ones. That means if you’re trading, you’re operating in a gray zone. You might be safe today, but tomorrow’s law could freeze your funds or land you with a fine. That’s why many experienced Russian traders keep small amounts on local platforms and move the rest to self-custody wallets on the Binance Smart Chain or Ethereum network.

What you’ll find in the posts below isn’t a list of "best" exchanges for Russia—it’s a real look at what’s working, what’s shutting down, and what’s hiding in plain sight. From reviews of exchanges that still accept Russian users, to deep dives on how AML rules are changing, to warnings about platforms that vanished overnight—you’ll see the truth behind the headlines. No fluff. No marketing. Just what traders are actually dealing with on the ground in 2025.