Sberbank to Introduce Crypto Trading Infrastructure by December

Sberbank to Introduce Crypto Trading Infrastructure by December

Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, is set to launch its cryptocurrency trading infrastructure and digital depository by December 1. This initiative is part of a broader effort to integrate cryptocurrency trading, custody, and settlement into the nation’s regulatory financial framework.

New Regulations Taking Effect

Starting September 1, new regulations governing crypto trading will come into play, requiring transactions to be facilitated through licensed intermediaries beginning in July 2027. As part of its infrastructure plans, Sberbank will manage digital wallets for clients, handling deposits, withdrawals, and transactions.

Details of the Digital Depository

The digital depository will allow Sberbank to record clients’ ownership of cryptocurrency while processing most transactions off the blockchain. This move aligns with the Federation Council’s recent approval of a law that governs cryptocurrency trading via licensed brokers, exchanges, and asset managers.

Trading and Investment Landscape

Public trading of cryptocurrencies will be restricted to assets that meet specific liquidity criteria set by the Bank of Russia. These include a minimum market capitalization of more than 5 trillion rubles (approximately $64 billion) and an average daily trading volume exceeding 1 trillion rubles (about $12.8 billion) over two years. Qualified investors will have access to a wider array of cryptocurrencies.

Background on Russia’s Crypto Developments

Despite Sberbank’s advancements in the crypto space, payments for goods and services in Russia using cryptocurrency remain prohibited. The bank’s foray into cryptocurrency began last year when it provided structured bonds linked to Bitcoin and completed a lending pilot program with Intelion Data, a mining firm, in December.

Overall, Russia has gradually moved towards formalizing cryptocurrency within its financial system. Legislative measures introduced in 2024 legalized cryptocurrency mining and established an experimental framework for crypto-based cross-border transactions, expanding access to qualified investors seeking crypto-linked financial products in 2025.