Will Russia significantly increase crypto asset seizures after the new law takes effect?

Vladimir Putin has signed a law formally recognizing digital currency as property under Russia’s Criminal Code and Criminal Procedure Code. The legislation establishes procedures for the seizure, transfer, storage, and court-ordered arrest of cryptocurrencies during criminal investigations. Under the new rules, investigators can confiscate hardware wallets, servers, or access credentials, document wallet addresses and balances, and transfer seized digital assets to designated government-controlled addresses if technically feasible. Courts will determine whether assets should be formally placed under arrest, including funds held on crypto exchanges. The law provides a legal framework that previously lacked procedural clarity. However, the real impact will depend on enforcement intensity, technical capability, and the volume of crypto-related criminal cases. The uncertainty lies in whether the new legislation results in a measurable surge in confiscations — or simply formalizes existing practices.