Russia just made a significant move. The Bank of Russia published a draft directive on August 11, approving Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether’s USDT for retail trading on licensed domestic exchanges. BankXRP (@BankXRP) shared the news with his community on X, but asked why Russia excluded XRP.
The decision puts ordinary Russian investors one step closer to regulated crypto access, but leaves out one of the largest assets in the market.
Russia Approves Trading of Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT—But No XRP
Russia excluding XRP why
— 𝗕𝗮𝗻𝗸XRP (@BankXRP) August 11, 2026
The Criteria Russia Used
The Bank of Russia set clear standards for retail-eligible assets. Market capitalization, average daily trading volume, and a minimum of five years of pricing history on foreign exchanges all factored into the decision. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT meet every requirement.
Some in the replies were quick to add context. CryptoSensei pointed out that Russia is essentially approving the bare minimum, with everything outside BTC, ETH, and USDT left out for retail. The central bank stated its goal directly: protect non-qualified investors from “sharp and unpredictable fluctuations in cryptocurrency rates.”
Why XRP Didn’t Make the Retail List
XRP presents a specific problem when measured against Russia’s criteria. The token’s history includes a high-profile SEC lawsuit against Ripple, which has since been settled. During that legal period, multiple exchanges delisted XRP. It was later relisted on many of those platforms.
That pattern of delistings and relistings interrupts the kind of stable, continuous pricing history Russia requires. While XRP is one of the biggest cryptocurrencies, its history includes a period where its exchange presence was genuinely disrupted. Russia appears to have weighed that history against retail approval.
XRP’s Institutional Presence in Russia
The exclusion applies specifically to retail access. XRP already has institutional footing in Russia. The Moscow Exchange launched futures contracts for XRP in May, alongside Solana and Tron. ChartNerd, a prominent analyst, highlighted this on X, pointing to XRP’s existing index presence on the exchange and noting the asset already has a relationship with MOEX.
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Qualified investors, Russia’s wealthier accredited class, face no such restrictions. They can trade any cryptocurrency listed on licensed Russian exchanges or over-the-counter markets. XRP remains fully accessible to that group.
XRP Isn’t Out of the Picture
One commenter offered a different read, suggesting XRP’s cross-border utility means domestic retail investors have little need for it anyway. That view oversimplifies the situation. Russia’s exclusion appears regulatory, not functional.
The more straightforward reading is that Russia built a conservative entry point for retail crypto. It chose the three assets with the deepest liquidity and the cleanest records. XRP’s regulatory history made that bar harder to clear, but the door remains open.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
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