- Sberbank studies crypto-backed loans as regulators define a broader legal framework.
- The central bank allows broader crypto access while maintaining firm control through banks.
- Russian exchanges and lenders prepare digital asset trading and lending services.
Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, says it may soon offer loans secured by cryptocurrency as regulators outline a broader framework for digital asset transactions across the country. The potential move follows the release of a new regulatory concept from the Central Bank of Russia, which aims to legalize and regulate crypto-related services and trading through 2026.
The combination of the developments has been a clear indicator of Moscow’s changing strategy towards digital assets, with the financial institutions, exchanges, and authorities already envisioning the full integration of cryptocurrencies into the country’s financial system.
Sberbank Weighs Lending Backed by Digital Assets
Sberbank, now operating under the Sber brand, is exploring options to lend rubles using cryptocurrencies as collateral, according to Deputy Chairman of the Management Board Anatoly Popov. Popov said the bank is assessing how such products could operate within the evolving regulatory environment.
“We are currently exploring the possibility of cryptocurrency-secured lending,” Popov said, adding that he expects discussions on such transactions to begin soon. He also said the majority state-owned lender stands ready to work closely with Russian regulators to develop practical solutions for this type of service.
In comments cited by business dailies Kommersant and Vedomosti, Popov noted that crypto regulation in Russia remains at an early stage. He said Sber intends to help build the necessary infrastructure together with regulators to support crypto-backed financial products.
Digital Asset Platform Provides Foundation
Sberbank’s interest in crypto-secured loans builds on activity from its existing digital financial asset platform. Since January, the platform has hosted more than 160 issues of digital financial assets, according to Popov, spanning several sectors of the Russian economy.
Among these issuances, the first tokenized real estate and oil assets of the country were also included, thus marking the early milestones in the local asset tokenization process. The increasing volume on the platform is an indicator of both its technical capacity and operational reach within the regulated markets.
This experience could support future collateral management systems if crypto-backed lending products move forward. How far traditional banks can go in using decentralized assets while remaining within state-controlled infrastructure remains an open question.
Related: Russia Rolls Out Tiered Crypto Access for Domestic Investors
Regulators and Markets Prepare for Broader Crypto Use
The Central Bank of Russia recently published key takeaways from its concept for comprehensive crypto regulation. Under the plan, cryptocurrencies and stablecoins would gain recognition as “currency assets” under Russian law.
Access would also expand beyond the existing experimental legal regime, which initially limited participation to highly qualified investors. Retail investors would gain the right to buy Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital assets.
At the same time, the central bank reiterated that it views cryptocurrencies as high-risk instruments and prefers using Russia’s established financial infrastructure for crypto operations. Legislative amendments supporting the strategy have already reached the government, with lawmakers expected to approve them by July 1, 2026.
In parallel, Russia’s largest exchanges, the Moscow Exchange and the St. Petersburg Exchange, said they are ready to launch cryptocurrency trading once rules are finalized. Earlier this week, Alfa-Bank also announced a new digital financial asset tied to gasoline, issued for the Trassa gas station network as part of a loyalty-based funding model. The initiatives together reflect a coordinated push to integrate digital assets into Russia’s regulated financial markets while maintaining state oversight.
