Client alert: Russian legislative change affecting digital asset and cryptocurrency tracing in Russia

Alert: Russian legislative change affecting digital asset and cryptocurrency tracing in Russia Effective: 15 July 2026

Recent amendments to Russian civil and procedural legislation have formally extended the scope of asset disclosure and enforcement obligations to digital assets, including cryptocurrency. Russian courts and enforcement authorities may now treat digital assets held by a judgment debtor as property subject to identification, freezing, and compulsory execution under standard enforcement proceedings. The change consolidates a direction in Russian law that began with the recognition of digital rights under civil legislation and has progressively been applied in enforcement and insolvency contexts.

Foreign creditors holding Russian judgments or arbitral awards should be aware that debtors who have historically moved value into cryptocurrency or other digital assets in an attempt to place those assets beyond the reach of Russian enforcement proceedings face a materially narrowed window in which to do so undetected. Russian courts have, in a growing number of matters, authorised disclosure orders and interim measures targeting digital asset holdings. Creditors who delay initiating or expanding their enforcement instructions risk allowing a debtor sufficient time to transfer digital assets across jurisdictions — a step that, once completed, substantially increases the cost and complexity of subsequent recovery.

Recommended action:

1. Review any live enforcement file involving a Russian judgment debtor for intelligence on potential digital asset holdings.
2. Instruct Russian counsel to assess whether an application for interim measures targeting digital assets is available and appropriate in your specific matter.
3. Consider requesting expanded asset disclosure as part of ongoing or new enforcement proceedings before Russian courts.

For foreign creditors pursuing enforcement or asset tracing in Russia, early instruction is critical. Our Asset Tracing & Recovery practice advises creditors at every stage of the Russian enforcement process.

Speak to our team — info@vetrovpartners.com | WhatsApp/Telegram: +7 (983) 510-38-76

This alert is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Vetrov & Partners is a Russian-qualified law firm. Contact info@vetrovpartners.com for advice on your specific situation.

— Elizaveta Razina Senior Lawyer, Practice Lead — IP Enforcement, Vetrov & Partners vetrovpartners.com/razina/

Vetrov & Partners is a Russian boutique law firm established in 2009, recognised by Pravo-300 for eight consecutive years. The firm's asset tracing and recovery practice advises foreign creditors on identification, freezing, and enforcement against Russian-domiciled assets — including, increasingly, digital asset holdings. Enquiries: info@vetrovpartners.com | WhatsApp / Telegram: +7 (983) 510-38-76 | t.me/vitvetcom