Sberbank is exploring crypto-secured lending as Russia’s financial sector accelerates its push into digital assets ahead of the country’s mid-2026 regulatory deadline.
Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov told TASS the bank stands ready to collaborate with regulators on developing infrastructure for such services, potentially expanding Russia’s crypto ecosystem beyond trading into collateralized finance.
The announcement builds on Sberbank’s broader digital asset strategy, which has already produced over 160 tokenized issues this year, spanning real estate, oil, and commodity-linked products.
“I hope we will be able to announce such deals soon,” Popov expressed optimism, though the timing depends on the regulatory framework, currently in its infancy.
Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of Sber Anatoly Popov. | © Reuters
Just yesterday, Moscow Exchange and St. Petersburg Exchange confirmed readiness to launch regulated crypto trading once Russia’s legislative framework takes effect by July 1, 2026.
The exchanges’ December announcements followed the Bank of Russia’s release of a regulatory concept outlining comprehensive timelines and enforcement mechanisms for crypto legislation.
Moscow Exchange stated it is “actively working on solutions to service the cryptocurrency market.”
St. Petersburg Exchange also mentioned that it has “the necessary technological infrastructure for trading and settlements.“
The regulatory framework divides market access between qualified and non-qualified investors under sharply different conditions.
Non-qualified participants are limited to purchasing liquid cryptocurrencies from defined lists after passing mandatory knowledge tests and are subject to an annual cap of 300,000 rubles through a single intermediary.
Qualified investors face no volume restrictions but must demonstrate understanding of crypto risks through testing and remain barred from purchasing anonymous tokens that conceal transaction data.
Amid these growing regulatory and technological developments, State Duma Committee Chairman Anatoly Aksakov reiterated earlier this month that cryptocurrencies “will never become money within our country,” functioning only as investment instruments, with all domestic payments required in rubles.
Russia recorded $376.3 billion in crypto transaction receipts between July 2024 and June 2025, surpassing the United Kingdom’s $273.2 billion and establishing Russia as Europe’s largest crypto market by transaction volume.
