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Sberbank plans to launch cryptocurrency trading infrastructure and a digital depository by December 1, positioning Russia’s largest lender to enter the country’s newly regulated crypto market.
The system will support trading, custody and settlement for eligible customers. Its rollout follows Russia’s approval of rules covering crypto exchanges, brokers, asset managers, banks and digital depositories.
Digital Depository Will Record Customer Crypto Ownership
Sberbank’s digital depository will maintain records of customers’ cryptocurrency ownership. The system will process many transactions within the bank’s internal infrastructure rather than directly on public blockchains.
Active wallets will handle deposits, withdrawals, and transfers to external addresses. Alexander Vedyakhin, first deputy chairman of Sberbank’s management board, said the bank intends to complete the required trading and depository systems before the December deadline.
Supported Assets, Fees, and Withdrawal Limits Remain Undisclosed
Sberbank has not named the cryptocurrencies it will support. The bank has also not disclosed trading fees, withdrawal limits or final customer eligibility rules.
Those details will depend partly on regulations still being prepared by the Bank of Russia. The remaining product terms will determine how broadly customers can use the planned trading and custody system once it launches.
Russia’s Crypto Framework Takes Effect September 1
Russia’s crypto framework takes effect on September 1. It creates regulated roles for exchanges, brokers, management companies, crypto exchange services and digital depositories.
Existing financial institutions can offer some services under their current licenses while meeting additional crypto requirements. Market participants have until July 2027 to complete registration and compliance requirements.
Retail Investors Face a 300,000-Ruble Annual Purchase Limit
Nonqualified investors will need to pass a knowledge test. They will be limited to purchases worth 300,000 rubles per year through each intermediary. Qualified investors will have access to a wider selection of assets without the same annual cap, although testing requirements will still apply.
Cryptocurrencies offered through public exchange trading must meet liquidity thresholds set by the central bank. These include average market capitalization above 5 trillion rubles and average daily trading volume above 1 trillion rubles over two years.
Sberbank Moves From Crypto-Linked Products to Direct Trading
Sberbank already offers qualified investors financial products linked to Bitcoin, Ethereum and crypto baskets. It also completed a Bitcoin-backed lending pilot with mining company Intelion Data in December 2025 and is considering similar loans for corporate clients.
The new infrastructure would let customers hold and trade cryptocurrencies directly through Sberbank’s systems rather than receiving only price-linked exposure. The bank previously said its crypto wallet could be integrated into Sberbank Online and SberInvestments.
Crypto payments for goods and services will remain prohibited inside Russia. Approved cross-border settlements can continue under separate rules, while Sberbank’s next confirmed step is completing the trading and digital depository infrastructure before December 1.
