Russia’s Sberbank Ready to Enter Crypto Trading as Russia Moves Toward Regulation

Bitcoin Magazine

Russia’s Sberbank Ready to Enter Crypto Trading as Russia Moves Toward Regulation

Sberbank will provide access to crypto trading once regulation and organized exchange trading begin, Senior Vice President and Head of Wealth Management Ruslan Vesterovsky said at the Moscow Exchange forum, according to Russia’s TASS.

The Bank of Russia maintains a view of cryptocurrencies as a high-risk instrument under its policy framework.

In December 2025, the Bank of Russia published a concept for domestic cryptocurrency regulation that allows qualified and non-qualified investors to buy crypto assets. The concept defines digital currencies and stablecoins as currency assets permitted for sale and purchase, while domestic payments with them remain prohibited.

Under the proposal, non-qualified investors may access the most liquid cryptocurrencies after passing a test and within an annual limit of 300,000 rubles through a single intermediary.

Sberbank stated it will be prepared to provide clients access once regulation is enacted and exchange trading starts, in coordination with other market participants and regulators.

In 2025, Sberbank expanded digital financial asset issuance to 408 billion rubles, a level that exceeds 2024 output by a wide margin and reflects strong growth from 2023.

The bank issued a pilot crypto-backed loan to Intelion Data in December 2025, secured by mined bitcoin, and used a proprietary custody system for collateral storage. 

Authorities expect completion of legislation governing digital assets by July 1, 2026.

Russia’s crypto legislation bill

Earlier today, Russia’s State Duma advanced a sweeping crypto regulation bill in its first reading, with 327 of 340 deputies voting in favor. The proposed law, introduced by the government of Russia, establishes a comprehensive framework for issuing, trading, and storing digital currencies under licensed intermediaries supervised by the Bank of Russia.

It classifies cryptocurrency as property—allowing its use in legal disputes—while maintaining a ban on domestic payments but permitting cross-border transactions. 

The bill also introduces investor tiers, stricter controls on peer-to-peer activity, and a regulated custody system, alongside requirements for mining operations to use domestic infrastructure. 

Lawmakers still need to pass two additional readings, with some officials calling for revisions over concerns about market restrictions and asset protections.

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This post Russia’s Sberbank Ready to Enter Crypto Trading as Russia Moves Toward Regulation first appeared on Bitcoin Magazine and is written by Micah Zimmerman.