From January 1, 2025, Russian depositories must verify the status or service provision rules of foreign institutions where they plan to account for foreign securities. This requirement is part of a new ordinance issued by the Bank of Russia. The creation of depository bridges is essential for accounting foreign securities accepted for trading in the domestic market and issuing depositary receipts for foreign assets.
Russian depositories can open accounts with a foreign institution if it qualifies as either a central depository or an international centralized system recognizing rights to securities. It may also qualify if it settles securities based on on-exchange trading results. If a Russian depository's counterparty lacks such status, it must meet specific conditions.
The institution should ensure that the number of securities recorded in the Russian depository's account matches those recorded in its favor at a higher-level foreign accounting institution. Additionally, the law of the foreign state must not allow assets held in the Russian depository's account to be included in the accounting institution’s bankruptcy estate if it goes bankrupt.
The ordinance expands the range of home jurisdictions with which Russian depositories can cooperate, adding countries from Asia-Pacific, Africa, South America, and the Middle East. Membership in international associations is no longer a selection criterion for accounting institutions.
These new requirements aim to minimize infrastructure risks within Russia's domestic accounting system and enhance investor protection.