Russians Ask About Crypto Pensions as Digital Assets Enter Mainstream Debate

Source: Coindoo Original Title: Russians Ask About Crypto Pensions as Digital Assets Enter Mainstream Debate Original Link: Questions about cryptocurrency are increasingly reaching places traditionally far removed from digital assets — including Russia’s pension system.

According to recent disclosures, the Social Fund of Russia has seen a noticeable rise in inquiries asking whether pensions can be paid in crypto, making it one of the most common non-standard topics handled by its call center.

Key takeaways:

• Russians are increasingly asking whether pensions can be paid in cryptocurrency.
• Crypto-related questions have become a frequent non-standard inquiry for pension officials.
• The Social Fund confirms that all pensions are paid exclusively in rubles.
• Crypto income and taxation fall under the authority of the tax service, not pension bodies.

During 2025 alone, the fund processed around 37 million calls, most of them tied to routine issues such as pension payouts, welfare benefits, and maternity capital. Yet alongside these everyday requests, operators have been fielding a growing number of questions related to digital assets. Among the recurring questions were whether retirees could receive pension payments in cryptocurrency and whether income generated from crypto mining could influence eligibility for social benefits. Officials noted that these inquiries appeared frequently enough to stand out from the broader volume of calls.

The Social Fund’s response has been unequivocal. All pensions and social payments, operators explained, are issued exclusively in rubles, and digital assets fall outside the fund’s jurisdiction. Any issues involving cryptocurrency income, including taxation or reporting obligations, are handled by the Federal Tax Service of Russia, not by pension administrators.

Crypto adoption accelerates across Russia

The surge in public curiosity comes as Russia’s overall engagement with crypto continues to expand rapidly. An October study by Chainalysis showed that between July 2024 and June 2025, Russia received $376.3 billion in cryptocurrency inflows, compared with $273.2 billion for the UK over the same period.

That growth has been driven largely by institutional activity and the rising use of decentralized finance. Large transfers exceeding $10 million surged 86% year over year, nearly twice the pace seen elsewhere in Europe. Total crypto inflows into Russia climbed 48% from the previous year, further widening the gap with other major economies.

Retail participation has also accelerated. Both large and small retail segments expanded faster than the European average, while decentralized finance activity in Russia increased eightfold in early 2025, signaling a broadening user base beyond institutions alone.

Regulators explore limited retail access

Against this backdrop, regulators are cautiously adjusting their stance. Last month, the Bank of Russia proposed allowing non-qualified investors limited access to certain cryptocurrencies under strict conditions. Under the plan, retail investors would be able to buy a narrow range of liquid crypto assets after passing a knowledge test, with annual investment caps set at 300,000 rubles, or roughly $3,834.

Qualified investors would receive broader market access, excluding privacy-focused coins, but would still be subject to testing requirements. The proposal reflects a gradual shift toward regulated participation, even as public institutions like the pension system make clear that crypto has no role — at least for now — in state social payments.

Taken together, the rise in pension-related crypto questions and the rapid expansion of adoption highlight how deeply digital assets are entering everyday financial conversations in Russia, even if official systems remain firmly rooted in traditional currency.