Russia’s largest bank Sberbank plans crypto trading infrastructure by December
New regulations for crypto trading, custody, and settlement in Russia take effect Sept. 1, with requirements for licensed intermediaries applying from July 2027.
By Francisco Rodrigues|Edited by Aoyon Ashraf
Jul 25, 2026, 4:59 p.m.
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Summary
Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, plans to build cryptocurrency trading infrastructure and launch a digital depository by Dec. 1 as Russia moves to bring crypto trading, custody and settlement into its regulated financial system.
The depository, according to Interfax, will record clients’ ownership of cryptocurrency and process most transactions outside the underlying blockchain. Sberbank will operate active wallets for client-initiated deposits, withdrawals and transfers.
The plan follows the Federation Council’s approval of a law regulating cryptocurrency trading through licensed brokers, exchanges, asset managers and depositories.
The framework is set to take effect Sept. 1, though rules requiring transactions to pass through licensed intermediaries will apply from July 2027.
Public exchange trading will be limited to cryptocurrencies that meet Bank of Russia liquidity thresholds, including an average market capitalization above 5 trillion rubles ($64 billion) and an average daily volume above 1 trillion rubles ($12.8 billion) over 2 years.
Qualified investors will be able to access a broader range of assets. Crypto payments for goods and services inside Russia remain prohibited.
Sberbank started offering qualified investors structured bonds tied to bitcoin last year, and completed a bitcoin-backed lending pilot with miner Intelion Data in December.
Russia has been gradually bringing crypto into its regulated financial system. A 2024 law legalized mining and created an experimental regime for crypto-based cross-border settlements.
The Bank of Russia also widened access in 2025 by allowing qualified investors to buy crypto-linked financial products. It later proposed limited direct purchases for retail investors, subject to testing and an annual cap of 300,000 rubles per intermediary.
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Markets repositioned since June, but Binance held share (~55% user funds, ~24% spot) and drew net inflows in early July while the tracked market saw outflows.
Jul 22, 2026
Markets repositioned since June, but Binance held share (~55% user funds, ~24% spot) and drew net inflows in early July while the tracked market saw outflows.
Why it matters:
Markets repositioned since June, but Binance held share (~55% user funds, ~24% spot) and drew net inflows in early July while the tracked market saw outflows.