Russian Consumers More Than Double Hardware Crypto Wallet Sales Ahead of Sept. 1 Rules

Wallet demand ahead of rules

Russian consumers’ demand for hardware crypto wallets more than doubled in the first half of 2026, according to data from M.Video and Wildberries as the country prepares to introduce new crypto rules.

M.Video said unit sales on its marketplace rose 107% in the second quarter from the first quarter, while sales by value increased 92%.

Wildberries recorded higher demand with unit sales rising 84% in the first half from a year earlier, and sales value increasing 60% over the period.

The retailers did not disclose the number of devices sold, and the comparisons covered different periods, with M.Video measuring Q2 against Q1 and Wildberries comparing H1 with the same period of 2025.

The shift comes as Russia’s broader crypto regime takes effect Sept. 1, with the framework allowing regulated exchanges and digital depositories and letting some retail investors buy liquid cryptocurrencies after testing within a 300,000-ruble annual cap per intermediary.

Reporting for this sectionCoinDesk@coindesk

Security incidents and theft

Cybersecurity coverage highlighted crypto theft tied to weak wallet security, including an “old random number generator” that caused the theft of $5.7 million in cryptocurrency. Coinspot.io also described an “Info stealer for macOS” that stole passwords, Apple Keychain data, and part of the funds from crypto wallets. The same roundup said new malware for macOS learned to discreetly steal only part of the funds from wallets, while attacks on hotel Wi-Fi networks were used to hunt for corporate accounts and VIP guests.

It also noted that the creator of Ransom Cartel was detained after fleeing and attempting to cross the Belarusian border. Separately, CoinDesk reported that Coinkite disclosed a Coldcard firmware flaw on July 30 that weakened seed generation, leading to estimated losses of over $116 million.

Reporting for this sectionCoinspot.ioCoinDesk

Crackdown on unregistered platforms

Russia’s tightening of crypto oversight also included enforcement actions, with authorities closing 9 unregistered platforms trading cryptocurrencies in Moscow and arresting more than 20 employees on money-laundering charges related to fraud operations. The Federal Security Service (FSB), in cooperation with the Interior Ministry, carried out raids targeting offices and financial facilities operating illegally inside Moscow’s International Business Center, known as Moscow City, where 9 unregistered financial channels had been dismantled. The operation accused these platforms of handling funds seized from victims of phone fraud, converting them into cryptocurrencies, and transferring them to wallets and accounts linked to operators based in Ukraine.

Under the new legislation described in the roundup, individuals and entities that organize or facilitate unregistered cryptocurrency transactions may face criminal penalties, including fines of up to around $4,000 and prison terms of up to 4 years for some basic violations. The same source said penalties become more severe for large-scale crimes or organized groups, where prison terms can reach up to 7 years and compulsory labor potentially up to 5 years, plus fines of up to about $13,100 or income-related financial penalties.