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Alfa-Bank has started testing crypto trading inside its Alfa-Investments brokerage app as Russia’s largest private bank prepares for rules covering crypto trading, custody and exchange services.
The test is limited to a small group of qualified investors and has not been presented as a full public launch.
Test App Shows 7 Crypto Assets
The test version reportedly includes trading pages for Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, Litecoin, USDT, USDC and Zcash. The service is being tested inside Alfa-Investments, the bank’s retail brokerage platform.
That places crypto access next to ordinary investment products instead of routing users through a separate exchange-style app. Alfa-Bank said it is using the pilot to prepare its systems before new rules for crypto intermediaries take effect.
Bank Targets 2026 Depository and Ruble Gateways
Alfa-Bank said it plans to complete a digital depository and crypto-to-ruble exchange gateways in 2026. Those parts are expected to support Russia’s planned framework for crypto intermediaries. A digital depository would hold or account for client crypto assets, while exchange gateways would connect crypto trading to ruble settlement.
Dmitry Vitman, head of digital financial assets at Alfa-Bank, said the bank expects a wider retail launch closer to the fourth quarter of 2026 if the regulatory schedule allows it. He also said deep liquidity in Russia’s regulated crypto market may take longer to develop, possibly not arriving before late 2027.
Qualified Investors Remain First Users
The Bank of Russia has supported a cautious route into crypto trading. Its earlier proposal allowed only “especially qualified” investors to take part in a three-year experimental regime.
That status can apply to individuals with more than 100 million rubles in securities and deposits or annual income above 50 million rubles. The central bank said the goal is to increase market transparency while limiting access for ordinary retail users because of the risk of large losses.
Wider Rollout Depends on Final Rules
Alfa-Bank is not the only Russian financial institution preparing crypto services. Sberbank, VTB and Moscow Exchange have also been preparing crypto custody, trading or settlement services as Russia works on a formal framework for digital assets.
For Alfa-Bank, the next step is regulatory approval and infrastructure readiness. A wider rollout depends on final rules, approved depository and exchange systems, and enough liquidity to support trading.
