Sberbank plans to launch crypto trading infrastructure and a digital depository by Dec. 1, 2026, as Russia’s largest bank prepares to offer regulated crypto trading, custody and settlement services under the country’s new market rules.

Alexander Vedyakhin, first deputy chairman at Sberbank, announced that the bank intends to launch the infrastructure and depository by that date. The depository is expected to register clients’ rights to cryptocurrencies and account for transactions carried out outside the primary blockchain, making it a core part of how regulated ownership records and off-chain activity would be handled under the planned model.

🇷🇺Russia's largest bank is building crypto custody where most of the "crypto" never actually touches a blockchain. off-chain processing. Internal ledgers. Custody wallets are controlled entirely by the bank. this bank already issued 408 BILLION RUBLES in digital assets last… pic.twitter.com/vBZTv5YsUZ — Crypto Jargon (@Crypto_Jargon) July 25, 2026

https://x.com/Crypto_Jargon/status/2081096254571085915?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Russia Sets Rules for Crypto Trading

Sberbank’s planned platform will use active wallets to conduct transactions, enabling the movement of funds between the banking system and blockchain wallet addresses.

The bank has not disclosed which cryptocurrencies will be available for trading. It also has not released details on trading fees, trader requirements or other operating conditions.

The project is being developed in line with Russia’s framework for cryptocurrency activities. The framework covers purchases through intermediaries, exchange trading, clearing and digital repositories. Sberbank’s target launch date falls after the rules are scheduled to take effect but before the final licensing compliance deadline, placing the rollout inside the transition period for market participants.

The rules are scheduled to take effect on Sept. 1, 2026. Market participants will have until July 1, 2027, to obtain licences and bring their operations into compliance with the framework.

Both qualified and non-qualified investors will be permitted to trade cryptocurrencies through licensed intermediaries, though access conditions will differ.

Non-qualified investors will be required to pass a knowledge test. After doing so, they will be allowed to buy the most liquid cryptocurrencies through one intermediary, subject to an annual limit of 300,000 rubles.

Qualified investors also will be required to pass a test. They will be able to buy and sell any cryptocurrencies without the same annual purchase limit.

The regulated structure will include banks, brokers and asset managers, as well as crypto exchanges and digital repositories. Exchanges will handle cryptocurrency purchases and sales, while digital repositories will register investors’ rights to these assets. Brokers and asset managers also will be able to carry out transactions, including those conducted through organized trading platforms.

The use of cryptocurrencies for domestic payments will be prohibited. However, Russian businesses will be able to make payments using digital assets abroad without prohibition.

Exporter and importer entities will be permitted to conduct such payments either through intermediaries or directly. They will be able to use different wallets and cryptocurrencies.

Russian citizens will be able to conduct crypto transactions abroad using foreign bank accounts. They will be required to report holdings of cryptocurrencies registered abroad to the tax authorities.

Sberbank’s Expansion Into Crypto Services

Sberbank was registered in Russia’s information system operators’ registry in 2022, allowing the financial institution to participate in the regulated digital financial assets market.

In 2025, the bank offered its first structured bonds and digital financial assets linked to Bitcoin and Ethereum to qualified investors. It also launched financial instruments tied to crypto baskets.

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.

In February 2026, Reuters reported that Sberbank was preparing similar loans for corporate customers. The bank cited interest from mining enterprises and companies holding digital assets.