Moscow Exchange Launches Bitcoin Index, Expands Crypto Market Offerings

The Moscow Exchange (MOEX) has taken a significant step forward in its engagement with the cryptocurrency sector by launching a new Bitcoin index—the MOEX Derivatives Market Bitcoin Index (MOEXBTC). This move could pave the way for the creation of new financial instruments tied to Bitcoin on the Russian exchange.According to a statement shared with the Russian news agency, TASS, MOEX will begin calculating and publishing the index on June 10, 2025.“The index code is MOEXBTC,” the exchange announced. “It will be calculated using price data from perpetual futures and swaps for the BTCUSDT pair, sourced from four major crypto exchanges: Binance, Bybit, OKX, and Bitget.”The index will be based on a weighted average of prices, with specific coefficients assigned to each exchange to ensure a reliable and representative measure of Bitcoin’s value across global markets. MOEX also stated that, in the future, the index could serve as the underlying asset for various financial products.This initiative follows MOEX’s recent expansion into crypto-related instruments. On June 4, it began offering futures contracts linked to cryptocurrency values, such as the Bitcoin Trust ETF, specifically for qualified investors. Market participants cited by TASS reported strong demand for this new offering.Additionally, in May, the Bank of Russia approved the issuance of derivative financial instruments, securities, and digital financial assets tied to cryptocurrency value—also limited to qualified investors. Nevertheless, the central bank maintains a cautious approach, continuing to discourage direct investment in cryptocurrencies by financial institutions and individuals.