Sberbank to Launch Crypto Trading and Custody by December 2026 Under New Russian Law
Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, plans to launch cryptocurrency trading infrastructure and a digital asset depository by December 1, 2026, First Deputy Chairman Alexander Vedyakhin confirmed via Interfax. The rollout will integrate directly with Sberbank Online and SberInvestments, the bank’s two flagship applications, and follows Russia’s new digital currency law adopted by the State Duma on July 21.
Sberbank’s Digital Depository and Trading Infrastructure
The centerpiece of Sberbank’s plan is a digital depository that will track clients’ cryptocurrency ownership and record transactions occurring off the main blockchain, according to Vedyakhin’s comments to Interfax. The system will also process active wallet transfers for client currency orders. Sberbank intends to have this infrastructure fully operational by the December 1 deadline.
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Vedyakhin described the depository as a foundational component, not the final product. Additional elements, including licensing structures for new types of intermediaries, still require regulatory approval. He noted that Sberbank remains ready to work alongside regulators, pointing to unfinished bylaws covering depository systems, accounting frameworks, and intermediary licensing as ongoing work.
Russia’s Digital Currency Law Sets the Regulatory Stage
Russia’s new law, titled “On Digital Currencies and Digital Rights,” takes effect September 1 and establishes a comprehensive regulatory structure for crypto activity in the country. The legislation covers citizen purchases through licensed intermediaries, exchange trading, and clearing. Public trading under the law is limited to highly liquid assets, and non-qualified investors face an annual cap near $3,800 under the new rules. Licensed intermediary requirements are expected to take effect from July 2027, giving the market a longer runway to adapt. This phased approach allows banks like Sberbank to build infrastructure now while full licensing rules catch up later.
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Sberbank’s Existing Digital Asset Track Record
Sberbank has been active in digital assets since 2022, when it joined Russia’s register of information system operators. Since 2025, the bank has offered qualified investors structured bonds and digital financial assets tied to Bitcoin and Ethereum, as well as cryptocurrency baskets. In December 2025, Sberbank completed a pilot project for cryptocurrency-secured lending, which Vedyakhin said primarily tested the technical handling of crypto as loan collateral. This experience gives Sberbank a working base as it moves toward its December 2026 target, especially as sanctions continue pushing Russia’s financial sector toward alternative crypto channels.
The bank’s move comes amid broader shifts in Russia’s approach to digital assets, with the new law providing a legal framework that could attract institutional participation. For investors, the phased implementation — with intermediary licensing not required until mid-2027 — suggests a cautious but deliberate opening of the market. The annual cap of approximately $3,800 for non-qualified investors indicates that retail participation will remain limited initially, with the focus on building infrastructure for larger, institutional flows.
