Sberbank is testing DeFi and tokenization to meet the demand for cryptocurrencies.

• Sberbank evaluates DeFi for cryptocurrency trading.
• Tokenization connects traditional banks to the blockchain.
• Ethereum emerges as a priority public infrastructure.

Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, has confirmed it is testing various decentralized finance (DeFi) products in response to increased customer interest in cryptocurrencies and digital assets. This initiative is part of a broader strategy aimed at modernizing financial services and adapting the bank to the evolving digital market.

According to the bank, the tests involve multiple DeFi use cases, focusing on understanding how decentralized protocols can support activities such as trading, asset management, and settlement processes. The goal is not to replace traditional services, but to evaluate how these solutions can complement existing banking infrastructure.

The Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Anatoly Popov, highlighted that the growth in customer demand has driven Sberbank to closely monitor the evolution of tokenization and DeFi platforms. According to the executive, asset tokenization represents a practical bridge between the traditional financial system and blockchain-based markets, opening up space for more efficient products and new forms of financial interaction.

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Within this strategy, the bank analyzes how tokenized assets can integrate with already established DeFi protocols, allowing for greater interoperability and reducing dependence on closed systems. The approach prioritizes connectivity with existing ecosystems, rather than creating isolated solutions that operate on the fringes of public networks.

Popov also indicated that Sberbank has a specific interest in public blockchains, particularly Ethereum. The network is seen as a mature infrastructure capable of offering advanced smart contract capabilities and meeting institutional requirements. This assessment suggests that the bank considers the use of established public networks as a viable alternative to the private or permissioned blockchains traditionally adopted by financial institutions.

The tests conducted by Sberbank reflect a broader trend of banks and large institutions exploring decentralized technologies. Instead of treating DeFi merely as a competitor, the bank signals that it sees these solutions as a possible extension of its business models, aligned with customer expectations for greater access to cryptocurrency-related products.

The simultaneous exploration of DeFi, tokenization, and public blockchain infrastructure highlights the gradual convergence between the traditional banking system and decentralized finance. As cryptocurrency adoption advances, initiatives like Sberbank's demonstrate how established institutions are seeking to position themselves in this new financial environment.