Cryptoadvertising in Russia: new fines of up to 1 million rubles and division of oversight between FAS, Roskomnadzor, and the Central Bank
The Russian digital asset market is entering a new phase of regulation, and companies that decide to promote their crypto services now have serious reasons for concern. According to the latest legislative changes, legal entities face fines ranging from 100,000 to 1 million rubles for violating crypto product advertising rules. Oversight functions are distributed among three key agencies: the Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS), Roskomnadzor, and the Bank of Russia.
The Mechanics of Penalties: Who Pays and for What
The basic administrative fine for companies under Part 1 of Article 14.3 of the Administrative Code ranges from 100,000 to 500,000 rubles—this is the classic liability for improper advertising. However, for mailings carried out without the prior consent of recipients, a separate, stricter offense is provided, with a maximum fine of up to 1 million rubles.
A special liability framework has been built around violations of internet advertising labeling (ERID) and the transfer of data about it. Here, Roskomnadzor acts as the chief supervisor, and fines for companies also reach 500,000 rubles. If the violator turns out to be a regulated crypto exchange or a digital financial asset operator, oversight from the Central Bank is added to this as well.
How Violations Are Detected: A Step-by-Step Algorithm
The mechanism is triggered either by a complaint from a user, competitor, or other interested party, or as a result of an independent FAS inspection. For example, if an exchange places a large promo banner on its website with the text "USDT at the best rate. Exchange in two minutes. Buy now," this becomes a trigger for proceedings.
To file a complaint, the antimonopoly authority recommends recording a full screenshot of the page, the website address, and the date of capture. The agency then evaluates the materials and, if there are grounds, initiates a case on violation of advertising legislation. The review takes place in the FAS commission, which issues a decision recognizing the advertising as improper and, if necessary, issues an order to cease the violation. It is important to note that the FAS does not need to go to court to impose a fine—the company has the right to appeal the decision, order, and ruling afterward.
This sequence demonstrates that the detection of violations most often begins with an external signal or an independent inspection. The key piece of evidence becomes the recorded advertising material with specific wording.
A New Philosophy of Regulation
Starting September 1, the very philosophy of regulating crypto market advertising changes. In 2024, the state first banned advertising the effectively unregulated market. Now, in 2026, this market has begun to be institutionalized: legal exchange and accounting operators have emerged, and along with them, the opportunity to advertise their activities.
The main formula is simple: cryptocurrency as such cannot be advertised, but crypto infrastructure and regulated services can be. This is one of the most practical changes of the new regulation. For the first time, the market gets the opportunity to tell a client completely legally: "we provide exchange services" or "we carry out digital accounting."
However, the transition period adds uncertainty. The new advertising rules are already in effect, but the Central Bank registry, which grants the right to use them in full, is only being formed. Until July 1, 2027, many existing exchanges remain outside the new advertising regime.
In the coming months, market participants will have to balance between the old operating model and the new requirements. Caution in wording and completeness of mandatory disclosures become the main protection against regulator claims.
My view: This is a long-overdue step that finally separates the wheat from the chaff. Legal operators gain a competitive advantage, while gray promotion schemes fade into the shadows. However, until full clarity in the Central Bank registry, companies should err on the side of caution and conduct a legal audit of all advertising creatives—the cost of a mistake is now measured in millions of rubles.