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Discounts for paying with a marketplace card may be prohibited

The Federation Council has proposed banning discounts «for your card» on marketplaces. The initiative aims to protect competition and create a level playing field for all market participants.

The Federation Council has proposed amendments to the law on the platform economy to the government in order to ensure fair competition on marketplaces. If the initiative is adopted, it will change the rules of the game for everyone.

Key changes

  1. The new rules introduce two main prohibitions for platform owners:
  2. A ban on advantages for «their own» companies.

A ban on different prices depending on the payment method. This means the end of special discounts when using the marketplace's own cards or wallets.

Reasons for the changes

The reason for tightening the rules was complaints from large banks. They point to unfair competition: instant discounts from marketplaces are more profitable for customers than deferred cashback from banks.

Support from regulators

The initiative has already found resonance:

  • The Federal Antimonopoly Service is checking the discount practices of platforms for violations of the law.
  • The Central Bank has supported the leveling of conditions and has begun a dialogue with the market.

The proposed amendments are a step towards a more transparent platform economy. Marketplaces will have to compete by improving their services rather than through “closed” ecosystems, which will ultimately benefit all market participants.

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