Russia accelerates its entry into the cryptocurrency market: Sberbank leads crypto lending initiative

Russian monetary authorities are redefining their stance toward digital assets, opening the door to new financial solutions that were previously unthinkable in the country. This shift in Russia’s policy has motivated major banking institutions to begin exploring innovative services in the cryptocurrency space, positioning the giant Sberbank at the forefront of these initiatives.

Sberbank Introduces New Model of Cryptocurrency-Backed Loans

Russia’s largest bank by assets is evaluating the possibility of offering ruble loans secured by cryptocurrencies as collateral. According to Anatoly Popov, Vice Chairman of Sberbank’s Board (now known as Sber), the institution is developing specific solutions for this type of financial operation, reported the TASS news agency.

The institution, predominantly controlled by the state, is coordinating with local regulators to design mechanisms that enable the implementation of this credit modality. The executive emphasized that Sberbank is prepared to collaborate closely on developing infrastructure and solutions adapted to this new regulatory environment.

At the same time, the bank continues to strengthen its platform for tokenizing financial assets. Since the beginning of 2026, the bank has facilitated over 160 digital asset issuances, including the first national tokens linked to real estate and oil resources. This expansion demonstrates Sberbank’s strategic commitment to tokenization as a modern financing tool.

Russia’s Cryptocurrency Regulatory Framework Enters a New Phase

Recently, the Central Bank of Russia (CBR) introduced its new comprehensive concept for regulating the domestic digital asset market. This policy shift marks a fundamental change in how Russia approaches Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other digital tokens that were previously restricted to high-level institutional investors.

Under the new framework, cryptocurrencies and stablecoins will be classified as “currency assets,” allowing for significantly expanded access. Retail and non-professional investors will be able to acquire these assets for the first time, greatly broadening the potential market beyond the previous “experimental legal regime” that was in place.

The CBR recognizes that these instruments carry high risks, so the regulatory approach prioritizes utilizing Russia’s existing financial infrastructure for cryptocurrency operations, thus avoiding system fragmentation.

Projection: Cryptocurrency Regulations Expected to Be Implemented Before Mid-2026

The Moscow government has already received the legislative amendments necessary to implement this cryptocurrency regulation strategy, with the expectation that the Russian parliament will approve them before July 1, 2026. This timeline represents a critical milestone for the sector.

Additionally, the new regulations aim to modernize the regulated digital financial assets (DFA) market, updating the law that came into effect in 2021. The proposals will allow domestic companies to circulate tokenized assets on public blockchains, a significant change to attract foreign capital into the Russian ecosystem.

Russia’s main stock exchanges, the Moscow Exchange (MOEX) and the St. Petersburg Stock Exchange (SPB), have also expressed readiness to launch cryptocurrency trading operations once the regulatory framework is fully operational.

Practical Cases Illustrating the Transformation

A recent example is Alfa-Bank, Russia’s leading private bank, which recently launched a fuel-based DFA. This initiative, issued under the Trassa gas station network, tokenizes regular gasoline as a financing instrument and an attractive feature for its customer loyalty program.

These developments demonstrate that both state and private entities in Russia see concrete opportunities in tokenization and crypto services. The coordinated approach between Sberbank, the Central Bank, and market operators suggests that the country is building a solid regulatory framework for the adoption of cryptocurrencies in the medium term.