Russia might postpone second antifraud package, ease cap on number of bank cards

MOSCOW. Oct 22 (Interfax) - Russia's Digital Development Ministry has finalized a second package of measures to fight online fraud, but the implementation of the changes might be postponed and the restriction on the number of bank cards per person has been eased, the bill posted on the federal website for draft legislation indicates.

The bill, which was revised after discussions, might go into effect on September 1, 2026 (with the exception of some provisions), six months later than the previously planned March 1, 2026.

The cap on the number of bank cards that can be held by one person might be raised to 20 from the previously proposed 10 cards. However, the limit on number of cards per person at one bank remains unchanged at no more than five.

Before providing cards to individuals, money transfer operators will be required to request information from the Unified Payment Card Record System about whether the cap has been reached.

The chairman of the State Duma's Financial Market Committee, Anatoly Aksakov said in late September that the restriction on number of bank cards to fight fraud might be raised to no more than 20 cards per person.

The government published the second package of antifraud measures for public discussion at the end of August. It consists of about 20 initiatives to protect individuals online, including a proposed cap on the number of bank cards held by one person, which was 10 cards at the time.