Russia’s Largest Bank Sberbank Targets December Launch for Regulated Crypto Trading Infrastructure

Russia’s largest lender, Sberbank, plans to launch a regulated cryptocurrency trading infrastructure and digital asset depository by December 1, 2026, marking a major step in the country’s effort to integrate digital assets into its traditional financial system. The initiative follows the approval of Russia’s new cryptocurrency framework, which allows licensed financial institutions to provide crypto trading, custody, and settlement services under government oversight.

The project highlights Russia’s continued shift toward regulated digital asset adoption. While cryptocurrency remains prohibited as a means of payment for goods and services inside the country, authorities are expanding its use for investment and approved cross-border settlements through licensed intermediaries.

Sberbank to Build Regulated Crypto Infrastructure

According to Interfax, Sberbank will establish a digital depository that records customers’ ownership of cryptocurrencies while handling many transactions outside public blockchain networks. The bank also plans to operate active crypto wallets that will enable customers to deposit, withdraw, and transfer digital assets through its platform.

The infrastructure is designed to combine blockchain technology with traditional banking controls. Instead of requiring every transaction to be processed directly on-chain, customer ownership records and settlement functions will be maintained within Sberbank’s regulated systems, allowing the bank to meet compliance, reporting, and custody requirements.

Alexander Vedyakhin, Sberbank’s First Deputy Chairman, said the lender expects to complete the necessary infrastructure before the December launch deadline. However, the bank has not yet disclosed which cryptocurrencies will be supported, what fees customers may face, or the eligibility requirements for using the platform. Those details are expected to be finalized as regulators publish additional implementation rules.

Russia’s largest bank Sberbank plans crypto trading infrastructure by December

New Crypto Law Reshapes Russia’s Market

Sberbank’s initiative comes shortly after Russia’s Federation Council approved legislation establishing a regulated cryptocurrency market. The framework allows licensed brokers, exchanges, banks, asset managers, and digital depositories to provide crypto-related services while remaining under the supervision of the Bank of Russia.

The law officially takes effect on September 1, 2026, although financial institutions have until July 1, 2027 to obtain the required licenses and fully comply with the new rules.

Under the framework, publicly available cryptocurrency trading will be restricted to assets that satisfy strict liquidity and market capitalization standards. Eligible cryptocurrencies must maintain an average market capitalization above 5 trillion rubles (approximately $64 billion) and average daily trading volumes exceeding 1 trillion rubles (around $12.8 billion) over a two-year period.

The thresholds are expected to favor established cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum while limiting access to smaller, more volatile tokens.

Retail participation will also be regulated. Non-qualified investors must pass a knowledge assessment before purchasing eligible cryptocurrencies and will face an annual investment limit of 300,000 rubles per intermediary. Qualified investors must also complete testing but will gain access to a wider range of digital assets without the same investment cap.

Sberbank Expands Its Crypto Business

The upcoming platform builds on several years of Sberbank’s involvement in Russia’s regulated digital asset sector.

The bank became a registered operator of digital financial assets in 2022, enabling it to issue tokenized financial instruments under Russian law. Since then, Sberbank has launched structured investment products linked to Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for qualified investors.

In late 2025, the lender also completed a pilot loan backed by Bitcoin collateral in partnership with Russian mining company Intelion Data, demonstrating how digital assets could be integrated into conventional banking products. Reuters previously reported that Sberbank had proposed regulated cryptocurrency custody services for Russian customers, and the latest initiative appears to expand those earlier plans into a broader commercial platform.

Russia’s Banking Sector Prepares for Crypto

Sberbank is not alone in preparing for Russia’s regulated crypto market. Other major financial institutions, including VTB, T-Bank, and Alfa-Bank, as well as the Moscow Exchange, have reportedly been developing cryptocurrency custody and trading services ahead of the licensing deadline.

The new framework assigns different responsibilities across the financial sector. Brokers will execute customer orders, exchanges will facilitate trading, while licensed digital depositories will manage custody and maintain records of ownership rights. Regulators hope this structure will improve transparency and investor protection while allowing cryptocurrency activities to operate within Russia’s existing financial system.

The initiative also reflects Russia’s broader strategy of gradually incorporating digital assets into regulated finance. In recent years, the country legalized cryptocurrency mining and introduced an experimental framework allowing crypto to be used in certain cross-border settlements, while continuing to prohibit domestic crypto payments.

If Sberbank meets its December target, it will become one of the first major banks in Russia to offer a fully integrated platform for regulated cryptocurrency trading, custody, and settlement. The launch could serve as a milestone in Russia’s digital asset strategy, demonstrating how traditional financial institutions intend to support cryptocurrency markets within a comprehensive regulatory framework rather than through decentralized platforms alone.