Will Russia adopt Article 171.6 of Criminal Code for illegal crypto mining by end of 2026?

📋 Context The Russian Government submitted Bill №1193493-8 to the State Duma proposing to supplement the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation with a new Article 171.6 «Illegal crypto mining and illegal operation of mining infrastructure». Criminal liability for illegal mining provides for: • Fine up to 2.5 million rubles • Forced labor up to 5 years • Imprisonment up to 5 years with equipment confiscation Major damage (from 3.5M ₽) or especially major (from 13M ₽) — grounds for criminal prosecution. Mining without inclusion in the Federal Tax Service registry falls under the new article. 📋 Adoption timeline • March 23, 2026 — Government commission approved the bill • May 7, 2026 — State Duma Committee on State-Building recommended for first reading • May 13, 2026 — First reading in the State Duma (first plenary after 2-week recess) • Next: 2nd and 3rd readings → Federation Council → Presidential signature → publication on pravo.gov.ru 📋 Categories (mutually exclusive) Market resolution determined by the date of Russian Presidential signature of the federal law adding Article 171.6 to the Criminal Code: • Adopted before September 1, 2026 — fast scenario before Duma summer recess • Adopted September 1 – October 31, 2026 — statistically most likely scenario (~172 days average for government bills) • Adopted November 1 – December 31, 2026 — delayed scenario • Not adopted by December 31, 2026 — bill not signed by President by year end 📋 Resolution criteria • Winning outcome determined by date of Presidential signature of law adding Article 171.6 to UK RF (or equivalent article under different number with same essence) • Date of SIGNING is used (not date of entry into force or date of publication) • Only criminal liability under UK RF. Administrative sanctions under КоАП РФ do NOT count • If bill is disqualified/withdrawn without signing by 31.12.2026 — resolves «Not adopted» 📰 Sources Primary: • pravo.gov.ru (Official internet portal of legal information) • kremlin.ru (Presidential decrees and federal laws) • sozd.duma.gov.ru/bill/1193493-8 (Bill status) • duma.gov.ru (State Duma) Additional: • Vedomosti, Kommersant, RIA Novosti • KonsultantPlus, GARANT.RU 🔧 Resolution process Market resolves within 12 hours of Presidential signing and publication on pravo.gov.ru. Dispute period — 48 hours after decision publication.