Banks are requesting legal entities for USDT: a deputy revealed the true reason
The increasing requests from banks to corporate clients about the origin of funds in cryptocurrency, especially USDT, are not related to the upcoming law on digital rights. This was stated by Anatoly Aksakov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market, explaining that the regulatory framework will only take effect on September 1, 2026, while banks have already begun acting now.
In my assessment, the key trigger is not legislative innovations, but the growing concern of the regulator and financial institutions about the use of stablecoins in shadow schemes. Aksakov directly points out that cryptocurrencies and stablecoins are increasingly appearing in illegal operations, including the financing of anti-Russian activities. It is precisely to conceal payment trails that malicious actors resort to digital assets, which forces banks to tighten compliance procedures.
Why banks have become more active now
The deputy emphasizes that credit institutions receive indicators from the regulator characteristic of suspicious transactions, and in parallel, they are developing their own methodologies for assessing client integrity when working with the crypto market. This explains why requests about the "economic sense" of USDT transactions are being sent to legal entities today, rather than after the law takes effect.
From September 1, 2026, the law "On Digital Currency and Digital Rights" will come into force, and it is precisely after its adoption that large banks have intensified their attention to client operations with crypto assets. However, as Aksakov notes, the current requests are a preventive measure dictated by real risks, not formal compliance with the new regulation.
Context: limits and returns
In parallel, the Bank of Russia has proposed setting an annual limit of 300,000 rubles on cryptocurrency purchases for non-qualified investors from each intermediary, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT in the list of permitted assets. Comments on the draft are accepted until August 24. Notably, in July 2026, Bitcoin showed a return of 10.1%, outpacing all Russian industries and foreign securities—the closest competitor lagged by more than 2%.
The growing interest of businesses and citizens in crypto assets goes hand in hand with tighter control. The state is establishing rules for the circulation of digital currencies, while banks are strengthening checks on client operations.
My verdict: the market is entering a phase of maturity where transparency will become a key survival factor. Legal entities legally working with USDT should prepare documentation on the origin of funds in advance—this will minimize the risks of blocks and reputational losses.