How crypto investors with earnings of 2.4 million rubles can avoid tax claims: legal advice, 2026/04/05 14:19:58

Opinion A new law regarding the exchange of information between the Bank of Russia and the Federal Tax Service will make unverified incomes exceeding the annual threshold of 2.4 million rubles subject to state scrutiny. This directly impacts crypto investors, according to Denis Mayasov, the founder of the legal agency LegalCrypto.

The lawyer explained to Bits.media why the new regulations pose particular risks for individuals utilizing p2p transfers. 

How the tax authority will monitor transactions

Currently, the tax authority conducts selective checks on monetary transactions, but the government plans to assign the analysis of Russian citizens’ operations to specialized algorithms, as indicated in the draft law submitted to the State Duma. These algorithms will be capable of assessing the frequency of incoming funds, the number of counterparties, and the payment structure of each specific Russian currency resident. 

The threshold for activating the algorithm is set at 2.4 million rubles per year, but this is not a “safe limit”, states the founder of LegalCrypto. 

“This is the point at which the system begins to show increased interest in an individual. The subsequent scenario is quite standard: a signal is generated, an analysis is conducted, and if necessary, inquiries are initiated, which may lead to additional tax assessments, penalties, and other consequences,” Mayasov explains.

Why crypto investors are at risk

A significant concern for crypto investors is that the typical p2p operating model inherently resembles characteristics of entrepreneurial activity. This is due to multiple incoming transactions from various individuals, the regularity of operations, and the fragmentation of amounts with high liquidity, the lawyer clarified. According to him, from the perspective of algorithms, such transactions create a stable cash flow that could be deemed unregistered activity:  

“The system that the Federal Tax Service intends to implement does not differentiate between whether the individual is an investor, trader, or entrepreneur. It looks for patterns: if a transaction fits the specified parameters, it automatically falls into the risk zone.”

What happens after coming under the tax authority’s scrutiny

If the algorithms detect signs of unverified income, the system will first generate a signal regarding suspicious activity. The Federal Tax Service will then analyze the data and, if necessary, send a request to the recipient of the funds for clarification. If the responses do not satisfy the inspectors, there may be additional assessments of personal income tax, as well as penalties and fines. In serious cases—such as those involving large sums and a combination of factors—an individual could be accused of illegal entrepreneurial activity. 

“The crucial point here is not whether a specific user is violating the law. The issue lies in how the operations will be interpreted by the system. The government is currently focused on so-called financial transparency and enhancing the clarity of the economy. For the crypto market, this signifies a closer alignment with the traditional financial system, along with all the ensuing implications,” the lawyer concluded. 

Recommendations for crypto investors

To reduce the likelihood of attracting the Federal Tax Service’s attention during p2p transfers involving cryptocurrencies, Mayasov advises documenting the purpose of transactions. It is advisable to keep records or notes explaining the reason for the transfer (such as purchase, sale, debt repayment, etc.). Additionally, it is beneficial to minimize the liquidity of funds: allowing money to remain in an account for at least some time can reduce suspicions of high-frequency trading. 

It is advisable to avoid receiving numerous identical payments: if a user consistently receives similar amounts from many individuals, it may appear as concealed entrepreneurial activity. If a person frequently receives compensation for services or goods, they should consider registering as self-employed or as an individual entrepreneur. Finally, it is essential to be prepared for inquiries and to have logical, document-supported explanations ready for transactions that may seem suspicious to authorities. 

Previously, the government submitted a draft law titled “On Digital Currency and Digital Rights” to the State Duma, which regulates the cryptocurrency market in Russia. If adopted, it is expected to come into effect on July 1.