Cryptocurrency advertising in Russia: new fines up to 1 million rubles and triple oversight
The Russian digital asset market is entering a new phase of regulation: starting in autumn 2026, companies face fines ranging from 100,000 to 1 million rubles for violations in crypto services advertising. Supervisory functions are distributed among three agencies, and the mechanism for detecting violations is already fine-tuned to the smallest detail.
The basic administrative fine for legal entities 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 spam mailings without recipient consent, a separate, stricter provision is provided, where the upper limit reaches 1 million rubles. This spread creates serious risks for unscrupulous players who are accustomed to ignoring the rules.
Who punishes and for what
The scope of liability is now clearly divided. Roskomnadzor oversees violations related to the labeling of internet advertising (erid) and the transfer of data about it, fining companies up to 500,000 rubles. If the violator turns out to be a regulated exchanger or digital depository, the Bank of Russia's supervision is also brought into the case. Triple control is a signal to the market: the era of semi-legal existence is coming to an end.
The course of action is telling. Suppose an exchanger places a large promo banner on its website: "USDT at the best rate. Exchange in two minutes. Buy now." A complaint can be filed by a user, a competitor, or any other person, and the FAS is also capable of identifying signs of a violation on its own. The antimonopoly authority recommends recording a full screenshot of the page, the website address, and the date—this becomes key evidence.
Next, the agency evaluates the materials and, if there are grounds, initiates a case. The FAS commission reviews it, and if the advertising is deemed improper, an order is issued to cease the violation. No court appeal is required to impose a fine—the decision is made by the service itself. The company has the right to appeal the ruling, but that is already after the fact.
A new philosophy of regulation
Starting September 1, the very essence of the approach changes. In 2024, the state banned advertising of a market that was effectively unregulated. Now, in 2026, the market is being institutionalized: legal circulation organizers are emerging, and with them, the opportunity to advertise their activities. The formula is simple: cryptocurrency as such cannot be advertised, but crypto infrastructure and regulated services can already be. This is one of the most practical changes of the new regulation.
For the first time, the market gets a chance to legally tell a client: "we provide exchange services" or "we carry out digital accounting." However, the transition period adds uncertainty: the new 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 exchangers remain outside the new advertising regime.
My expert opinion: in the coming months, market participants will have to balance between the old operating model and new requirements. Caution in wording and completeness of mandatory disclosures will become the main defense against regulator claims. I advise reviewing all advertising creatives and templates right now—those who do this first will avoid both fines and reputational losses.