Russian parliamentarians are proposing to grant Bitcoin and Ethereum equal status to apartments and cars when dividing property. The new legislative initiative aims to close the legal vacuum surrounding digital assets in family relationships. This will allow for the regulation of the division of cryptocurrency savings during divorce.
The initiative, developed by State Duma deputy Igor Antropenko, proposes amendments to Articles 34 and 36 of the Family Code. According to the document:
- Cryptocurrency assets acquired during marriage will be recognized as the joint property of the spouses.
- Assets acquired before marriage, as well as through gratuitous transactions such as gifts or inheritance, will remain personal property.
The bill has already been submitted to the Russian Government and the Central Bank for official review.
As Antropenko noted, the need for innovation is driven by the widespread adoption of digital currencies by Russians for savings and investments. In the new economic environment, cryptoassets have become a financial instrument requiring a clear legal definition.
The lack of such regulations creates serious risks. Experts believe that one spouse may intentionally conceal cryptocurrency savings, which violates the principles of fair property division and infringes on the rights of the other party.
The explanatory note to the bill emphasizes that the legal uncertainty contradicts Article 19 of the Russian Constitution, which guarantees equal rights. The document is currently undergoing a preliminary review. Its adoption will be an important step in adapting family law to the realities of the digital age.