Russian Draft Law Could Recognize Bitcoin as Joint Property of Spouses, With Division Upon Divorce

• Crypto acquired during marriage becomes jointly owned property and may be subject to division in divorce.

• Crypto obtained before marriage or gifted remains the property of the recipient.

• The bill signals regulatory attention to digital assets amid Russia’s expanding cryptocurrency economy and anticipates formal review by the Government and the Central Bank.

Description: 150-160 characters, front-loaded with primary keyword, compelling CTA — Updated coverage on Russia’s draft law recognizing cryptocurrency as family property.

What is the impact of Russia’s draft law on cryptocurrency as family property?

The draft law would categorize cryptocurrency holdings acquired during marriage as jointly owned, while pre-marital or gifted crypto would stay with the original owner. If enacted, divorce proceedings would apply these rules to crypto assets, reshaping asset division for many Russian couples.

How will Russia regulate crypto assets under the new family law?

Under the proposal, digital currencies would be treated on equal footing with other marital assets. Regulators have historically limited crypto outside the Experimental Legal Regime (ELR), but Moscow signals broader regulation in 2026, while the ELR remains the framework for certain cross-border and investment activities. This shift could accelerate court determinations over crypto holdings and reduce ambiguity in asset division.

“The lack of legal regulation for such assets in family relations and divorce proceedings creates the risk of infringing on the property rights of one of the spouses.”

The author of the proposed changes argues that the absence of clear rules in family relations contradicts constitutional principles of equality before the law and the courts. Quoted in Prime by the sponsor, the deputy emphasized the need to align family law with the Constitution’s guarantees of equal rights for men and women, especially as digital asset ownership grows among households.

New Russian law confirms cryptocurrency’s property status

Russian financial regulators, led by the Central Bank of Russia (CBR), have long been wary of granting broad legal recognition to cryptocurrencies outside a tightly controlled ELR, which permits limited participants to use crypto in international settlements and some investments. Yet, this year officials signaled an intent to comprehensively regulate crypto transactions in 2026, particularly those tied to investment activity; payments in crypto are likely to remain outside the ELR. In many jurisdictions within Russia, Bitcoin and similar assets have already been recognized as property for court purposes, amid increasing cases over crypto ownership and asset seizure by the state.

According to public reporting, around 20 million Russians have already bought cryptocurrency, and their digital holdings now exceed $40 billion. In Europe-focused analytics, Chainalysis highlighted Russia as a rising crypto market, noting the region received substantial inflows — the company reported Russia as a leading market on the continent with hundreds of billions in crypto activity during a recent interval spanning mid-2024 to mid-2025.

For readers seeking deeper context, related coverage and analyses are available at the publisher’s internal pages on the Russia crypto policy landscape, including ongoing updates about legislation, regulatory timelines, and central-bank perspectives. See also related explainer pieces on intranational property rights and digital asset custody within a West-to-East regulatory framework.

Publication date: 2025-10-21 • Updated: 2025-10-21

Author: COINOTAG

Additional context and sources (in plain text): RIA Novosti reported the draft law and government review process; Komsomolskaya Pravda referenced the accompanying letter to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin; Prime provided coverage of the bill’s rationale and constitutional considerations; Central Bank of Russia commentary has framed the ELR and future regulation; Cryptopolitan has noted the broader context of court recognition of crypto as property in Russia; Chainalysis provided the European adoption data used to illustrate market dynamics.

For readers seeking more on Russia’s crypto policy, see related articles at https://en.coinotag.com/crypto-regulation/russia-draft-law-family-property.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to crypto assets if a couple divorces under this proposed law?

Under the draft, crypto acquired during marriage would generally be treated as jointly owned and subject to division, while crypto obtained before marriage or received as a gift would remain with the original owner. This would align digital assets with other marital property rules and could change settlement outcomes.

Is cryptocurrency currently recognized as property in Russian courts?

In many jurisdictions within Russia, cryptocurrencies have already been treated as property for court purposes, especially in civil and asset-seizure proceedings. However, full national-level legal recognition of crypto as property across family law remains under debate and would depend on final passage of the proposed amendments and regulatory guidance.

Key Takeaways

• Clarified status for crypto within marriage: The draft aims to classify crypto acquired during marriage as jointly owned property.
• Exceptions for pre-marriage and gifts: Crypto obtained before marriage or received as gifts would stay with the original holder.
• Regulatory trajectory and pace: The proposal signals momentum toward formal regulation, with broader rules anticipated in 2026 and continued ELR constraints for certain activities.

Conclusion

The Russian draft law underscores a pivotal shift in how households and courts may treat cryptocurrency within family relations. By framing crypto as property subject to shared or individual ownership depending on the acquisition date, Moscow aims to reduce disputes and bring digital assets into established legal channels. As regulators outline timelines and guardrails, stakeholders should monitor official updates from the Government and the Central Bank, while consumers and advisors prepare for evolving asset-divison practices. For ongoing coverage and expert perspectives, COINOTAG will continue to provide authoritative updates and practical explanations.