Russia discusses restrictions on depositing cash via ATMs

Russia is considering introducing new restrictions on individuals making cash deposits via ATMs. The proposal aims to set a monthly limit of 1 million rubles. Currently, a draft law prepared by the Ministry of Finance is under discussion. The document was drafted in early 2026 and has been sent to the Central Bank of Russia and the Federal Financial Monitoring Service (Rosfinmonitoring) for coordination. At this stage, no formal restrictions have been implemented, and all proposed changes remain in the discussion phase.

This initiative is closely related to the government’s efforts to strengthen oversight of cash circulation. By the end of 2025, public policy has shown signs of tightening regulation over financial flows, especially concerning sources of funds that are unclear or difficult to verify. Currently, there are no limits on how much cash individuals can deposit via ATMs, which allows large sums to enter accounts without additional scrutiny. Regulators believe this poses risks to the financial system and could be exploited for money laundering and other illegal activities.

The proposed 1 million ruble limit is seen as an intermediate control mechanism. It does not prohibit citizens from holding or using large amounts of cash but explicitly restricts automatic cash deposits through self-service devices. If monthly deposits exceed this limit, the transactions will be technically intercepted. Customers wishing to deposit higher amounts will need to visit a bank branch, where they may be required to provide proof of the source of funds.

It is important to note that under current law, there is no limit on cash deposits via ATMs. As long as the transaction does not trigger suspicious activity under anti-money laundering regulations, citizens are free to deposit any amount into their accounts. The Ministry of Finance’s proposed plan differs fundamentally from the existing model—it sets a predetermined threshold rather than responding to suspicious transactions after the fact.

This potential change is expected to have the greatest impact on individual entrepreneurs and freelancers who rely on cash income. For those who frequently receive cash payments, the convenience of ATM deposits may decrease, requiring more detailed financial planning or shifting to cashless payment methods. Banks with primarily remote services and fewer physical branches may also face additional operational challenges.

The core goal of this measure is to enhance oversight of the source of funds. Currently, banks and financial regulators already have the authority to request relevant documentation from clients when suspicious activity occurs. Limiting ATM cash deposits aims to systematize this oversight. Regulators anticipate that this mechanism will help identify atypical fund flows more quickly and reduce the volume of suspicious transactions within the economy.

Therefore, it is premature to discuss a “total ban” or that related restrictions are already in effect. The 1 million ruble limit remains at the proposal stage and may be adjusted or refined before final decisions are made. Nonetheless, the emergence of such draft laws reflects a broader trend: automated transactions involving large cash amounts are likely to face increasingly strict government regulation in the future.