Sberbank to Launch Crypto Trading as Russia Finalizes Digital Asset Regulations

Sberbank will provide clients access to cryptocurrency trading once Russia implements comprehensive regulations and launches organized exchange platforms, Senior Vice President and Head of Wealth Management Ruslan Vesterovsky announced at the Moscow Exchange forum, according to TASS.

The Bank of Russia continues to classify cryptocurrencies as high-risk instruments within its policy framework. In December 2025, the central bank published a regulatory concept permitting qualified and non-qualified investors to buy crypto assets, including digital currencies and stablecoins, while maintaining a ban on domestic payments with these assets.

Under the proposed framework:

• Non-qualified investors may trade the most liquid cryptocurrencies after passing a knowledge test and within an annual limit of 300,000 rubles, facilitated by a single intermediary.
• Qualified investors face fewer restrictions but remain subject to regulatory oversight.

Sberbank confirmed it will be prepared to offer crypto trading services once legislation is enacted and exchange trading commences, in coordination with regulators and market participants.

In 2025, Sberbank expanded its digital financial asset issuance to 408 billion rubles, a significant increase from 2024 and a substantial rise from 2023 levels. The bank also issued a pilot crypto-backed loan to Intelion Data in December 2025, secured by mined bitcoin and utilizing a proprietary custody system for collateral storage.

Russian authorities anticipate the completion of digital asset legislation by July 1, 2026.

Russia’s Crypto Regulation Bill Advances in State Duma

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

The proposed law classifies cryptocurrency as property, enabling its use in legal disputes, while maintaining a ban on domestic payments but permitting cross-border transactions. Key provisions include:

• Investor tier classifications with varying access levels.
• Stricter controls on peer-to-peer crypto transactions.
• A regulated custody system for digital assets.
• Requirements for mining operations to use domestic infrastructure.

Lawmakers must still approve the bill in two additional readings, with some officials advocating for revisions to address concerns about market restrictions and asset protections.

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