The entry into force of the law "On Digital Currency and Digital Rights" was postponed from July 1 to September 1, 2026. The reason is technical: the bill did not have time to pass the second reading in the State Duma due to the large volume of amendments and delayed approvals with departments.
It is this law that for the first time gives Russian companies and sole proprietors the right to legally pay with cryptocurrency under foreign trade contracts with foreign counterparties — outside the narrow experimental regime through which the business worked before. For participants in foreign economic activity who are trapped by sanctions in traditional banking channels, the norm is expected, therefore, confusion with the date would be costly.
The second and third readings are tentatively scheduled for July 21. After that, the approval of the Federation Council and the signature of the president will be required — about two more weeks. Hence the September deadline.
"The entry into force of the bill is postponed until early autumn due to delayed approvals with government agencies," said Anatoly Aksakov, chairman of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market.
The postponement of the date has led to the entire chain of deadlines. The transition period for market participants will last until July 1, 2027, during which time companies must prepare documents for the Central Bank registry, obtain licenses, and rebuild internal processes. Starting from July 1, 2027, criminal and administrative liability for violations will be introduced. The deadline for the adaptation of existing CFA operators remained the same — until July 1, 2028.
There is one practical conclusion for business: any regulations, instructions, and agreements with counterparties that include the date "July 1, 2026" must be rewritten for September 1. It is impossible to start crypto settlements on foreign trade contracts based on the summer start — there is no legal basis until September, and responsibility will follow for operations in the gray zone from July 2027. It is more reasonable to spend this time on preparation: recalculate the thresholds for registering contracts and build processes for the new legislative reality.
