Russian securities firm Finam has registered the country’s first investment fund specializing in cryptocurrency mining with the Bank of Russia. The company plans to begin trading the fund’s shares in the coming days.
Russian securities company Finum has registered an investment fund specializing in cryptocurrency mining with the Bank of Russia and plans to start trading its shares in the coming days. The Fund’s mining infrastructure uses a gas-powered setup to provide energy to the mining equipment. Finam said that…
— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) February 16, 2026
This is a major step for the Russian cryptocurrency industry. The country legalized crypto mining in 2024, but still restricts crypto trading to most investors. Finam’s new fund creates a regulated way for domestic investors to earn mining profits without having to buy or trade digital assets directly.
Gas-powered mining infrastructure
Finam has established a fund centered around gas-fired mining facilities in Mordovia. The company uses natural gas to generate electricity for its mining equipment. This setup helps reduce energy costs, which remains one of the biggest expenses in cryptocurrency mining.
Russia has large gas reserves, and global sanctions have reduced traditional export opportunities. By using domestic gas for extraction, companies can turn surplus supply into revenue. Finam said it is finalizing its operational preparations before commencing public stock trading.
Changes in Russia’s virtual currency strategy
The launch reflects the evolution of Russia’s position on cryptocurrencies. The government officially legalized cryptocurrency mining in 2024 to attract investment and create new sources of income. However, authorities still maintain strict regulations on virtual currency transactions in the country.
Russia currently controls about 11% of the world’s Bitcoin mining hashrate, according to data from the University of Cambridge. The country added more than 1 gigawatt of mining capacity in 2025 alone. This rapid growth demonstrates strong state support for mining infrastructure.
Finam’s funds offer new options to investors. Instead of directly managing a mining operation, you can buy shares and take advantage of the potential returns from the facility’s output.
More crypto products may follow
Finam indicated that it may expand to other crypto-related investment products in the future. These may include services related to staking or decentralized finance. Such products require regulatory approval.
For now, mining funds represent a milestone. This combines formal registration with the central bank and extensive infrastructure support. The launch could attract investors looking for higher-yielding alternatives as economic restrictions continue.
As Russia continues to review its crypto policy, Finam’s move signals increased institutional involvement in digital asset infrastructure.