Crypto news

The Russian judicial system has taken a fundamental step in recognizing digital assets as part of the material world. The Supreme Court has officially classified the digital ruble, cryptocurrency, and digital rights as possible items of theft. The corresponding clarification is contained in an updated resolution of the Plenum of the Supreme Court, dedicated to criminal cases of theft, robbery, and assault. The document was adopted at a special session chaired by Igor Krasnov.

For the entire domestic crypto industry, this clarification is of immense significance. Legally, it effectively establishes that any digital assets now fall under full criminal law protection on par with traditional material forms of property. This is not just a formality — it is a fundamental change in the legal framework that closes a long-standing legal gap.

Which objects are now officially recognized as subjects of a crime

The highest judicial authority has detailed the list of valuables that may be unlawfully seized during theft, robbery, assault, or other similar property crimes. The updated list includes:

• physical items;
• cash money;
• documentary securities;
• other movable and immovable property.

To the latter category, the court directly added non-cash funds, including digital rubles, non-documentary securities, digital rights, and digital currency. Thus, the digital ruble, representing the third form of national currency from the Bank of Russia, is now unequivocally considered a legitimate object for qualifying theft. A similar legal approach now applies to cryptocurrency and any digital rights.

At what point does the crime occur

Separately, in its resolution, the Supreme Court clarified the exact timing. A criminal offense is considered completed immediately at the moment the assets are debited from the victim's account. This is because it is at that point that the perpetrator actually gains a real opportunity to dispose of the stolen property.

Additionally, the highest judicial body described in detail the legal situation with several consecutive debits. For example, if a single victim's savings are withdrawn in parts, in several transactions, but all the perpetrator's actions are united by a single intent, the act is qualified as one continuing crime, rather than a series of separate criminal episodes.

According to official judicial statistics, more than 26,000 people are convicted annually in Russia for theft from bank accounts or involving electronic funds. This is a colossal figure that clearly demonstrates the scale of the problem and the relevance of the decision made.

My comment as an analyst: This decision is not just a legal formality, but a powerful signal to the market. It finally legitimizes digital assets in the eyes of the legal system and creates a precedent for protecting the rights of holders. However, it is worth remembering that strengthening protection also means strengthening responsibility. Now, every movement of digital funds will be viewed through the prism of the criminal code, which is especially important in the context of combating fraud and phishing.