Russian insurers dive into crypto with Bitcoin-linked life policies

Two major Russian insurance firms, Renaissance Life and BCS Life Insurance, have launched investment life insurance policies (ILIPs) linked to Bitcoin, according to a July 2 local media report.

According to the report, the innovative policies allow investors to gain exposure to BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT), the largest Bitcoin ETF by assets under management.

These ILIPs are designed for high-net-worth individuals seeking to benefit from Bitcoin’s price movements without directly holding the digital assets.

The policies are tied to Bitcoin futures contracts traded on the Moscow Exchange (MOEX), providing an alternative way to invest in the booming asset class.

How the policies work

Renaissance Life’s offering, part of its “Cryptocapital” program, requires a minimum investment of 1.5 million rubles (roughly $19,000) and has a two-year duration.

If the value of IBIT-linked futures rises significantly, such as Bitcoin doubling in value, the investor could earn up to 2.4 million rubles (over $30,000) before taxes.

However, the initial capital is protected if the market underperforms and Bitcoin drops. Renaissance Life CEO Oleg Kiselev emphasized that policyholders would at least recover their full deposit.

On the other hand, BCS Life Insurance is offering a similar product with a longer three-year duration and a higher minimum entry of 3 million rubles.

Unlike its rival, BCS allows portfolio rebalancing during the policy term, giving investors more flexibility to adjust asset allocations in response to market shifts.

Rising Bitcoin interest

These developments come amid growing demand for regulated financial instruments that offer exposure to Bitcoin.

Other insurance companies are tapping into this trend and providing Bitcoin-linked investment products for their clients.

For example, Meanwhile Insurance launched a Bitcoin-backed life insurance policy last year, allowing policyholders to borrow Bitcoin against their policies without incurring capital gains taxes. However, the loan balance is deducted from the death benefit upon the policyholder’s passing.

This product shows that interest in Bitcoin-backed financial instruments have surged, especially in the past year, as the US administration has adopted pro-crypto policies and Bitcoin’s price has surpassed the $100,000 mark.

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