Can a legal entity in Russia officially buy and sell cryptocurrency?

At present, Russian legislation, including Federal Law No. 259-FZ dated July 31, 2020 (as amended on August 8, 2024), does not contain a direct prohibition on the purchase and sale of digital currency (including cryptocurrency) by legal entities. The law defines digital currency as property but explicitly prohibits its use as a means of payment within the territory of the Russian Federation. Accordingly, legal entities are entitled to conduct transactions involving the purchase and sale of cryptocurrency, for example, for investment purposes, accounting on the balance sheet, or other property transactions. However, such activities must not involve the use of cryptocurrency as a settlement instrument. At the same time, legal entities must comply with the requirements of tax legislation, accounting standards, and, if applicable, currency control regulations.