Russia is proposing to significantly restrict its citizens’ access to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies under the guise of consumer protection.

In a surprise move, Russia’s deputy finance minister Alexey Moiseev signaled that the government plans to restrict the sale of cryptocurrencies to “qualified investors,” leaving the Moscow Stock Exchange as the only medium through which these select investors could purchase Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

In an interview with the Russia 24 television channel, Moiseev justified the proposed restriction based on his view that cryptocurrencies are likely to be pyramid schemes. Moiseev said “ordinary people” were ill-equipped to deal with cryptocurrencies, as they are “very dangerous investments that could lead to loss of money.”

Russia’s authoritarian government has taken a traditionally harsh stance toward cryptocurrencies, having previously proposed legislation that would criminalize the use of ‘surrogate’ financial products. While that legislation promised hash penalties for those caught using or mining Bitcoin, Moiseev was mum on what penalties were in store for anyone caught violating the latest proposal.