Catenaa, Sunday, June 08, 2025-Russia’s Moscow Exchange (MOEX) on Wednesday launched cash-settled bitcoin futures contracts benchmarked to BlackRock’s US-listed IBIT bitcoin exchange-traded fund, marking a key step in expanding crypto derivatives trading for qualified investors.
The contracts, quoted in US dollars and settled in Russian rubles, offer exposure to the IBIT ETF’s Bitcoin price performance without directly trading its shares.
The initial futures series is set to expire in September 2025.
This development follows recent regulatory changes by the Bank of Russia permitting licensed financial firms to offer crypto-based derivatives to accredited investors, while continuing to restrict retail access.
The move also signals a cautious but growing institutional appetite for blockchain-linked financial products within Russia.
Alongside MOEX’s launch, Russia’s central bank and Ministry of Finance are reportedly working on a government-backed crypto trading platform aimed at professional market participants.
Sberbank, the nation’s largest state-owned bank, also plans to introduce structured bonds linked to cryptocurrency price movements.
Experts see the new bitcoin futures as part of a broader trend of gradual integration of crypto assets into Russia’s regulated financial ecosystem, despite ongoing geopolitical and regulatory uncertainties.
The Moscow Exchange’s latest offering provides local qualified investors a novel way to gain exposure to Bitcoin prices while navigating domestic rules that prohibit direct trading of US-listed ETFs.
