Payment agents have been under the supervision of the Central Bank since October 1: new rules have come into force
Since the beginning of October 2025, updated requirements for payment agents have entered into force, which are now under the direct control of the Central Bank of Russia. The transition period that began earlier has ended, and from October 1, all payment acceptance operators are equated to non-credit financial organizations in terms of legislation.
Now such companies must be included in the official register of the Bank of Russia, as well as join a self-regulatory organization (SRO). It has also become mandatory for them to comply with the requirements of Law No. 115-FZ on countering the legalization of proceeds from crime and the financing of terrorism.
One of the key innovations is the appointment of a responsible employee responsible for the implementation of measures to comply with legislation in this area. The requirements for this position are quite strict: the candidate must have a university degree or work experience in the field of AML/CFT, have no criminal record in economic matters, and have received special training. The notification of the appointment of such an employee should have been submitted to the Bank of Russia by October 3, 2025.
The functionality does not end there. From now on, payment agents have the following responsibilities: quarterly verification of clients according to Rosfinmonitoring lists, internal control and regular reporting to the Central Bank. If these requirements are not met, the organization may face suspension of operations or even legal proceedings.
Market experts believe that these measures are aimed at increasing the transparency of transactions in the field of payment services and reducing the risks associated with financial irregularities. Increased control will also help protect users from unscrupulous intermediaries.
Thus, the reform of the industry continues its course towards stricter regulation, ensuring a more stable and secure financial infrastructure in the country.
