Russia’s largest bank Sberbank plans crypto trading infrastructure by December
Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, is preparing to launch cryptocurrency trading infrastructure by December, allowing clients to manage digital assets through a regulated depository. The move aligns with new Russian legislation that integrates crypto into the formal financial system while imposing strict liquidity requirements and intermediary oversight.
Why it matters
This development signals a significant shift in Russia's financial policy, moving from a restrictive stance to the institutionalization of crypto assets within the state-controlled banking sector.
The depository, according to Interfax , will record clients’ ownership of cryptocurrency and process most transactions outside the underlying blockchain. Sberbank will operate active wallets for client-initiated deposits, withdrawals and transfers.
The plan follows the Federation Council’s approval of a law regulating cryptocurrency trading through licensed brokers, exchanges, asset managers and depositories.
The framework is set to take effect Sept. 1 , though rules requiring transactions to pass through licensed intermediaries will apply from July 2027.
Public exchange trading will be limited to cryptocurrencies that meet Bank of Russia liquidity thresholds, including an average market capitalization above 5 trillion rubles ($64 billion) and an average daily volume above 1 trillion rubles ($12.8 billion) over 2 years.
Qualified investors will be able to access a broader range of assets. Crypto payments for goods and services inside Russia remain prohibited.
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