Russia Allows Licensed Forex Dealers to Offer Crypto CFDs, but Only to Qualified Investors

Russia’s central bank has allowed licensed domestic forex dealers to offer crypto CFDs for the first time, marking a notable shift in the country’s regulated OTC market. Alfa-Forex is expected to be first to launch Bitcoin and Ether CFDs on July 14, but access will be restricted to qualified investors and leverage capped at 1:10. The move should help local dealers compete better for higher-value clients and reduce reliance on offshore brokers, though the market opportunity is limited by tight eligibility rules. The article suggests the broader impact may be modest because crypto CFD trading is still a small share of global CFD volume, but the regulatory approval brings crypto trading onshore and provides a clearer legal framework after prior uncertainty.