Russian brokerage firm Finam has registered the country’s first cryptocurrency mining-focused investment fund with the Bank of Russia. The company plans to begin trading the fund’s shares in the coming days.
A Russian broker Finam has registered a cryptocurrency mining-focused investment fund with the Bank of Russia and plans to begin trading its shares in the coming days. The fund’s mining infrastructure uses a gas-powered setup to supply energy for mining equipment. Finam said it’s…
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) February 16, 2026
This marks a huge step for Russia’s crypto industry. While the country legalized cryptocurrency mining in 2024, it still restricts crypto trading for most investors. Finam’s new fund creates a regulated way for domestic investors to gain exposure to mining profits without directly buying or trading digital assets.
Gas-Powered Mining Infrastructure
Finam built the fund around a gas-powered mining facility located in Mordovia. The company uses natural gas to generate electricity for its mining equipment. This setup helps lower energy costs, which remain one of the biggest expenses in crypto mining.
Russia has large gas reserves, and global sanctions have reduced traditional export opportunities. By using domestic gas for mining, companies can turn excess supply into revenue. Finam says it is finalizing operational preparations before launching public share trading.
A Shift in Russia’s Crypto Strategy
The launch reflects Russia’s evolving position on cryptocurrency. The government officially legalized crypto mining in 2024 to attract investment and generate new revenue streams. However, authorities still maintain tight controls on crypto trading within the country.
Data from the University of Cambridge shows Russia now controls around 11% of global Bitcoin mining hashrate. The country added more than 1 gigawatt of mining capacity in 2025 alone. This rapid growth signals strong state support for mining infrastructure.
Finam’s fund offers investors a new option. Instead of directly managing mining operations, they can buy shares and gain exposure to potential returns from the facility’s output.
More Crypto Products May Follow
Finam has indicated it may expand into other crypto-related investment products in the future. These could include services linked to staking or decentralized finance. Such products would depend on regulatory approval.
For now, the mining fund represents a milestone. It combines official registration with the central bank and large-scale infrastructure support. The launch could attract investors who seek higher-yield alternatives during ongoing economic restrictions.
As Russia continues to reshape its crypto policies, Finam’s move signals growing institutional involvement in digital asset infrastructure.