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Sberbank Targets Dec. 1 for Russia Crypto Trading Launch

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Sberbank Targets Dec. 1 for Russia Crypto Trading Launch

2026-07-26 04:07 UTCBy AlphaScala Research DeskSource reporting: Crypto newsEditorial standards

Sberbank Targets Dec. 1 for Russia Crypto Trading Launch

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Sberbank sets a Dec. 1, 2026 deadline for its crypto trading platform and digital depository, following Russia's new regulatory framework taking effect Sept. 1, 2026.

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Sberbank will launch cryptocurrency trading infrastructure and a digital depository by Dec. 1, 2026, the bank said through Interfax. Alexander Vedyakhin, first deputy chairman, confirmed the deadline: "Sber plans to implement the necessary infrastructure and launch the digital depository by Dec. 1, 2026."

The project follows Russia's approval of new rules covering crypto exchanges, brokers, banks and digital depositories. The broader regulatory framework takes effect Sept. 1, 2026. Companies then have until July 1, 2027 to obtain licenses and bring systems into compliance.

Under Sberbank's planned structure, customers could hold recorded crypto rights inside the bank's system. Sberbank would use its controlled wallets when customers deposit, withdraw or transfer assets to external addresses. The digital depository will record ownership outside public blockchain networks for many transactions, Interfax reported.

Sberbank has not named the cryptocurrencies the platform will support. Fees, customer eligibility rules and withdrawal limits also remain undisclosed. Those details may depend on supporting regulations Russian authorities still need to approve.

The Bank of Russia said the new framework will allow qualified and non-qualified investors to purchase cryptocurrencies through regulated intermediaries. Non-qualified investors must pass a knowledge test before buying eligible cryptocurrencies and face an annual limit of 300,000 rubles per intermediary. Public access will focus on assets that meet liquidity and market-size standards set by regulators.

Qualified investors also must complete testing. They receive access to a broader range of assets without the same annual cap. Banks, brokers and asset managers may offer services under their existing licenses plus added crypto requirements. Separate approval is needed for new cryptocurrency exchanges and digital repositories. The central bank will supervise the market and set standards for custody, accounting and customer protection.

Russia continues to prohibit cryptocurrency payments for goods and services inside the country. Companies may use crypto for approved cross-border settlements. Residents may need to report some foreign crypto holdings and transactions to tax authorities.

Sberbank has operated in Russia's regulated digital asset sector since joining the register of information system operators in 2022. The bank has issued digital financial assets and structured products linked to Bitcoin, Ethereum and cryptocurrency baskets. Ascrypto.news previously reported that Sberbank was preparing a crypto wallet and digital depository before the new framework's launch. The report said the bank could also consider access to foreign crypto exchanges, depending on final regulatory requirements.

Sberbank tested cryptocurrency-backed lending in December 2025 with a pilot loan to Russian Bitcoin miner Intelion Data. The company pledged mined cryptocurrency as collateral. Reuters reported that Sberbank later considered offering similar loans to corporate customers. The bank said miners and companies holding digital assets had shown interest in using crypto as collateral.

Sberbank also explored custody services. In July 2025, Reuters reported that Sberbank had submitted proposals to the central bank on storing Russian customers' crypto assets through regulated banking infrastructure.

Other Russian financial institutions are preparing services under the new framework. VTB and T-Bank were developing digital depository services, according to crypto.news. Moscow Exchange was considering regulated cryptocurrency operations. Alfa-Bank tested limited crypto services and custody tools. These projects show large Russian financial groups positioning their systems around the new rules before the July 2027 licensing deadline.

The regulated market will divide responsibilities among banks, brokers, exchanges and digital repositories. Brokers may process customer orders. Exchanges provide trading services. Digital repositories record customer rights and custody arrangements.

Sberbank's Dec. 1 launch target places its project within the regulatory transition period. Before opening the service, the bank must complete its wallet, trading, accounting and custody systems. It must also publish supported assets, fees and customer access requirements.