Russia’s Finance Ministry considers simplifying crypto investor requirements

Russia is set to overhaul its cryptocurrency regulations, with a draft bill expected to be introduced in the State Duma during the spring 2026 parliamentary session. This proposal, led by Financial Markets Committee chairman Anatoly Aksakov, aims to reshape the legal framework surrounding digital assets in the country.

Russia is advancing a bill to grant everyday investors limited access to cryptocurrency, aiming to normalize its use while capping retail participation at approximately $3,800. This legislative move reflects a significant shift in the country's approach to digital assets, as it seeks to integrate cryptocurrencies into the financial mainstream.

Bitnomial has launched the first-ever U.S.-regulated futures market for Aptos, a significant milestone that could enhance institutional adoption of blockchain technology and pave the way for future cryptocurrency exchange-traded funds (ETFs). This launch marks a critical development in the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency trading in the United States.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has concluded its investigation into the Zcash Foundation, which was initiated in 2023 following a subpoena regarding certain crypto asset offerings. This decision marks the end of scrutiny for the privacy-focused cryptocurrency, Zcash.

Bitcoin's price has surged past $97,000, reaching $97.3K, which has contributed to an increase in the overall cryptocurrency market cap to $3.34 trillion. This rally is accompanied by Polymarket odds indicating a 72% chance of Bitcoin hitting the $100,000 mark within the month.

The Sui mainnet has experienced a significant network stall, which halted all on-chain activity for six hours, leaving validators unable to process transactions. This disruption raises concerns about the reliability of the Sui blockchain and its infrastructure.

The Algorand Foundation has announced its return to the United States and appointed a new board to spearhead strategic blockchain initiatives, signaling a renewed commitment to enhancing blockchain innovation. This move comes amid a more favorable regulatory environment for cryptocurrencies.

Solana has publicly criticized Ethereum's Layer 2 solution, Starknet, highlighting a significant disparity between its high valuation and low user activity. This critique raises concerns about the sustainability of such valuations in the cryptocurrency market.