Cross-border brokerage transfer ban extended for six months
The Bank of Russia has extended restrictions on cross-border funds transfers from brokerage and trust management accounts for non-residents from unfriendly states for another six months starting 1 October 2026.
Six more months of capital controls
From 1 October 2026, cross-border transfers from brokerage and trust management accounts held by non-residents from designated unfriendly states will remain suspended for an additional six months.
The measure applies directly to outgoing transactions from accounts belonging to both natural persons and corporate legal entities opened with Russian brokers and trust managers.
The central bank stated that the continuation of these capital controls is intended to maintain financial stability across domestic markets.
These operational restrictions were originally enacted on 1 April 2022 following international sanctions and have been repeatedly renewed to prevent capital flight from domestic custody.
Exemption rules under presidential decree
The Bank of Russia highlighted a specific regulatory exception established under an executive order of the President of the Russian Federation.
The transfer restrictions on the repatriation of funds do not apply to foreign investors, or foreign persons acting on their behalf, who hold assets recorded in special In-type accounts with Russian brokers and trust managers and actively invested in the local financial market.
This carve-out ensures a segregated channel for qualifying foreign capital.
Routine renewal, permanent freeze
The six-month rollover has turned into a routine ritual that cements capital confinement for Western investors.
The Type-In exemption offers little genuine relief in an otherwise entirely frozen market infrastructure.
For foreign institutions, Russian brokerage assets remain indefinitely stranded with zero near-term exit path.