Russia’s Largest Bank Considers Launching Crypto-Collateral Lending

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.

Exchanges Prepare Infrastructure as Regulatory Countdown Begins

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.

Transaction Volumes Drive Policy Evolution From Resistance to Regulation

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.

Large-scale transfers exceeding $10 million grew 86% during this period, nearly double the 44% growth across the rest of Europe, while DeFi activity surged eightfold in early 2025 before stabilizing at 3.5 times the mid-2023 baseline.

Much of this growth is tied to A7A5, a ruble-pegged stablecoin that has reached over $500 million in market capitalization despite Western sanctions, making it the world’s largest non-dollar stablecoin.

Looking beyond trading and investment, Senior Kremlin official Maxim Oreshkin recently argued that crypto mining should be classified as export activity in Russia, since the mined assets effectively flow abroad.

According to past reports, the country produces tens of thousands of Bitcoins annually, generating approximately 1 billion rubles in daily revenue and accounting for over 16% of global hashrate during summer months.

Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina also recently acknowledged that crypto mining contributes to the ruble’s strength. However, she noted quantifying its exact impact remains difficult as much of the industry operates in gray areas.

Illegal mining costs Russia billions of dollars annually through stolen electricity and unpaid taxes, prompting the November 1, 2024, legalization requiring legal entities to register with the Federal Tax Service.

Sberbank Builds Digital Asset Platform Ahead of 2026 Deadline

Sberbank has already begun offering regulated crypto-linked investments totaling 1.5 billion rubles in structured bonds and digital financial assets tied to Bitcoin, Ethereum, and broader crypto portfolios.

The bank launched blockchain-powered tokens that track global cocoa prices in March and continues to build proprietary blockchain infrastructure supporting smart contracts and tokenization tools for corporate clients, with each token representing 1 kilogram of cocoa and available to qualified investors for up to 4 months.

Deputy Chairman Popov confirmed “active dialogue” with the Bank of Russia on integrating crypto services within regulated frameworks while the lender positions itself as a potential liquidity provider and market maker on regulated platforms.

The regulatory timeline calls for legislative frameworks to be completed by July 1, 2026, with liability for illegal crypto intermediary activities taking effect from July 1, 2027.

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