Fines up to a million: how Russia will punish violations in crypto advertising
The Russian crypto advertising market is entering a new era of strict regulation. Starting September 1, rules come into force that fundamentally change the approach to promoting digital assets and services. Violators face fines ranging from 100 thousand to 1 million rubles, with supervisory functions distributed among three key agencies: FAS, Roskomnadzor, and the Bank of Russia. This is a signal: the era of gray schemes and loose wording in advertising is coming to an end.
The mechanics of penalties: what is controlled and by whom
Basic liability for advertising violations for legal entities under Part 1 of Article 14.3 of the Administrative Code ranges from 100 to 500 thousand rubles. However, for spam mailings without recipient consent, a separate, stricter offense is provided — a fine of up to 1 million rubles. At the same time, control over the labeling of internet advertising and data transmission (erid) remains with Roskomnadzor, where companies can also receive fines of up to 500 thousand 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 becomes a reality.
It is important to understand the procedure. A trigger for an inspection can be a complaint from a user, a competitor, or FAS's own detection of a violation. For example, an exchanger places a banner saying "USDT at the best rate. Exchange in two minutes. Buy now" — and that is enough for claims. The Antimonopoly Service recommends recording a full screenshot of the page, the site address, and the date. FAS then evaluates the materials, initiates a case on violation of advertising legislation, and a commission issues a ruling. Notably, no court appeal is required to impose a fine — the agency acts independently, although the decision can be appealed.
A new philosophy: from prohibitions to institutionalization
The key shift lies in the very philosophy of regulation. In 2024, the state banned advertising of a virtually unregulated market. By 2026, the market began to be institutionalized: legal organizers of circulation emerged, and with them, the opportunity to advertise their activities. A simple formula: cryptocurrency itself cannot be advertised, but crypto infrastructure and regulated services now can be. This is one of the most practical changes, giving the market a chance to legally state: "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. This creates a risk zone where caution in wording and completeness of mandatory disclosures become the main defense against regulator claims.
My analysis: The market is getting clear rules of the game for the first time, but the transition period will be painful. Companies that fail to adapt to the new requirements and fail to build compliance procedures face not only financial losses but also reputational risks. I recommend reviewing all advertising materials now and conducting a legal review of the wording — it is cheaper than paying fines and losing client trust.