Russia’s Moscow Exchange Launches Bitcoin Futures for Qualified Investors
In a significant move for the cryptocurrency market, Russia’s largest exchange, The Moscow Exchange, has introduced Bitcoin futures trading aimed specifically at qualified investors. This development marks a pivotal moment in Russia’s financial landscape, allowing investors to gain exposure to Bitcoin prices through regulated means.
The launch of Bitcoin futures contracts on June 4th, 2025, by the Moscow Exchange, enables qualified investors in Russia to participate in the cryptocurrency market without directly owning Bitcoin. These futures contracts are cash-settled in Russian rubles and are linked to the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF (IBIT) trading on U.S. exchanges. Each share of the IBIT ETF represents 0.00068 Bitcoin, providing investors with a secure and regulated way to engage in Bitcoin trading.
With trading for the new Bitcoin futures already underway, the first contracts are set to expire in September 2025. The futures will be denominated in U.S. dollars per Bitcoin but settled in rubles, offering a seamless trading experience for investors. This move by the Moscow Exchange comes as Russian financial institutions display an increasing interest in Bitcoin exposure following the formal permission by the central bank to offer crypto-related securities and derivatives to qualified investors.
Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, has also announced plans to launch its Bitcoin futures product alongside the Moscow Exchange’s offering. These exchange-traded notes will track Bitcoin’s price without requiring direct ownership, further diversifying investment opportunities in the cryptocurrency market. The rise in Bitcoin futures and other crypto-derivatives reflects the growing maturity of the industry, with an expanding number of countries adding Bitcoin to their reserve assets.
The introduction of Bitcoin futures on the Moscow Exchange signifies a push towards regulated Bitcoin exposure for qualified Russian investors. While direct ownership of physical Bitcoin remains restricted in Russia’s traditional finance sector, these futures contracts provide a compliant avenue for market participation. As investors and institutions seek diversified ways to engage with Bitcoin, the regulated environment offered by the Moscow Exchange sets a precedent for the future of cryptocurrency trading in Russia.
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