Sberbank secures approval to trade crypto in Russia

Sberbank secures approval — Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, has received regulatory approval to operate as a cryptocurrency exchange, marking a significant step in the country’s formalization of digital asset trading.

The Bank of Russia added Sberbank to its official register of crypto exchange providers, according to a report by Interfax. This follows the bank’s recent inclusion on the digital depository register, which allows it to record clients’ crypto holdings.

Sberbank plans to open crypto trading services to all of its clients starting December 1, 2026. The bank is currently testing trades involving Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Tether (USDT) within its mobile application.

The regulatory opening comes with specific controls. Cryptocurrency payments remain prohibited in Russia, and starting in July 2027, all crypto trades must be conducted through registered intermediaries like Sberbank, moving activity away from foreign platforms.