Bank of Russia to supervise BNPL operators
The State Duma has adopted the laws establishing the requirements for buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) operators and agreements with them.
The new rules prohibit sellers and BNPL operators (intermediaries between sellers and buyers) from disguising interest charges on deferred payments by setting different prices for the same product depending on whether it is paid for in instalments or with cash. The laws also limit late payment fees that BNPL operators may charge.
Furthermore, if an individual’s liabilities to a BNPL operator exceed ₽50,000, the operator will be obliged to submit this information to a credit history bureau. This will help banks and microfinance organisations better assess a person’s debt service-to-income ratio when considering a loan or microloan application. Thus, the laws enhance people’s protection from over-indebtedness and potential defaults.
In addition, the lawmakers reduced the maximum zero-interest period for BNPL services in stages, namely to six months from 1 April 2026 and to four months from 1 April 2028.
The new laws will become effective on 1 April 2026.