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The Moscow Exchange plans to launch cryptocurrency indices and futures contracts for Solana, XRP and Tron in 2026, marking the latest expansion of Russia’s state-supervised crypto derivatives market.
Maria Silkina, head of derivatives at Russia’s largest stock exchange, confirmed the plans during a Feb. 3 interview with RBC Radio, saying the three tokens would be “among the first” new additions to the exchange’s growing crypto product lineup.
The announcement comes as Russian regulators prepare a comprehensive legal framework for digital assets expected by July 2026, with the Central Bank maintaining strict control over how crypto exposure is offered to investors.
Under the latest plans, MOEX will launch three new cryptocurrency indices tracking Solana (SOL), Ripple’s XRP, and Tron (TRX).
Futures contracts based on those indices are expected to follow later in 2026, expanding the exchange’s growing lineup of crypto-linked derivatives.
Maria Silkina, head of the derivatives department at the Moscow Exchange, disclosed the plans during an interview on RBC Radio.
“We’ll be expanding the pairs this year. And probably the top names that will definitely be among the first are Solana, Ripple, and Tron,” Silkina said.
The expansion builds on MOEX’s earlier rollout of Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) indices in 2025, after Russia crypto regulation allowed regulated crypto-linked products for qualified investors.
MOEX is also considering perpetual futures tied to Bitcoin and Ethereum. According to Silkina, those contracts would mirror existing BTC and ETH index futures already trading on the exchange, with daily rollover mechanisms.
Russia crypto regulation requires that all crypto derivatives listed on domestic exchanges meet strict transparency and settlement rules.
As a result, MOEX’s crypto futures will be cash-settled, meaning investors will not take delivery of the underlying digital assets.
“Crypto futures must have a clear underlying asset, and at this stage in Russia, indices can serve that purpose,” Silkina said.
She added that each contract must clearly define pricing methodology and settlement procedures, reflecting the Central Bank of Russia’s cautious approach to direct cryptocurrency exposure.
For now, access to these products will remain limited to qualified investors, in line with Russia crypto regulation introduced in 2025.
Index-based futures will use monthly expirations, while proposed perpetual contracts would reset daily.
The expansion of MOEX’s crypto derivatives coincides with broader regulatory reforms.
In May 2025, the Central Bank of Russia issued guidance allowing licensed financial institutions to offer crypto-linked derivatives to highly qualified investors.
That policy shift enabled exchanges like MOEX to list futures tied to crypto indices and exchange-traded funds.
MOEX has already launched futures linked to products such as the iShares Bitcoin Trust ETF and iShares Ethereum Trust ETF, alongside its proprietary BTC and ETH indices.
In December 2025, the Bank of Russia released excerpts from a draft regulatory concept aimed at formalizing Russia crypto regulation by July 2026.
The proposal outlines plans to classify cryptocurrencies and stablecoins as monetary assets and integrate them into Russia’s existing financial infrastructure.
Both the Moscow Exchange and the St. Petersburg Exchange (SPB) have stated they are prepared to operate under the new framework.
SPB launched Bitcoin futures in October, settling contracts in Russian rubles using a BTCUSD index tied to U.S.-listed Bitcoin ETFs.
For investors, the latest developments signal a gradual normalization of crypto exposure within Russia’s traditional financial system.
While direct spot trading remains restricted, Russia crypto regulation increasingly allows access through regulated, exchange-traded derivatives.
The Central Bank of Russia has indicated it may eventually permit derivatives directly linked to cryptocurrencies rather than foreign ETFs and indices.
However, officials continue to emphasize investor protection and financial stability as top priorities.
As MOEX prepares to roll out new crypto indices and futures in 2026, Russia crypto regulation is clearly entering a more mature phase balancing institutional demand for digital asset exposure with strict state oversight.
