What to know:
- Sberbank plans crypto trading infrastructure and a digital depository by Dec. 1, 2026.
- Russia sets investor tests, purchase limits and new licensing rules for crypto trading.
- Non-qualified investors face a 300,000-ruble annual cap through a single intermediary.
Sberbank plans to launch crypto trading infrastructure and a digital depository by Dec. 1, 2026. It would help the nation’s leading bank facilitate regulated crypto trading, custody, and settlement services, and register clients’ rights to the cryptocurrency in accordance with the new market regulations in place.
Alexander Vedyakhin, first deputy chairman at Sberbank, announced that Sberbank plans to launch its crypto trading infrastructure and depository by the mentioned date.
The depository would register clients’ rights to cryptocurrencies, as well as take into account transactions carried out beyond the primary blockchain.
Russia Sets Crypto Trading Rules
The platform will conduct transactions using active wallets which would facilitate the movement of funds between the banking system and blockchain wallet addresses.
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Sberbank has not named the list of cryptocurrencies to be made available for trade. Trading fees, requirements for traders, and other details were not revealed as well.
The platform is launching its project in compliance with Russia’s cryptocurrency activities framework. The framework applies to purchases via intermediaries, exchange trading, clearing, and digital repositories.
The framework will come into effect on Sept. 1, 2026. It would give market participants until July 1, 2027, to get licences and adjust operations to the framework.
Both qualified and non-qualified investors would be allowed to trade in cryptocurrencies through licensed intermediaries. They will have different access conditions.
Non-qualified investors should pass the test of knowledge. After that, they will be able to buy the most liquid cryptocurrencies with the annual limit of 300,000 rubles via one intermediary.
Qualified investors should pass the test. They will be able to buy and sell any cryptocurrencies without such an annual limit on purchases.
Regulated structure will comprise banks, brokers, and asset managers. It will also include crypto exchanges and digital repositories.
Exchanges will perform cryptocurrency purchases and sales. Digital repositories will register investors’ rights to these assets. Brokers and asset managers will also perform transactions including the transactions done via organized trading platforms.
The use of cryptocurrencies for domestic payments will be prohibited. However, Russian businesses can make payments using digital assets abroad without prohibition.
Exporter/importer entities will be able to conduct such payments via intermediaries or directly. They will be able to use different wallets and cryptocurrencies.
Russian citizens can make crypto transactions abroad using foreign bank accounts. They should report holdings of cryptocurrencies registered abroad to the tax authorities.
Why Sberbank Is Expanding Crypto Services
Sberbank became registered in the Russian information system operators’ registry in 2022, thus enabling the financial institution to become part of the digital financial assets market which is regulated.
The bank offered its first qualified investors structured bonds as well as digital financial assets related to Bitcoin and Ethereum in 2025. The bank also launched crypto basket-related financial instruments.
In December 2025, Sberbank completed a pilot corporate loan secured by cryptocurrency. Russian Bitcoin miner Intelion Data received the loan and provided cryptocurrency it had mined as collateral.
However, in February 2026, Reuters reported on the preparation of similar loans for corporate customers by Sberbank. Sberbank named the interest of mining enterprises and firms holding digital assets.
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