- Sberbank plans to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT as loan collateral once Russia’s new digital asset rules take full effect.
- The bank has already tested crypto-backed lending with corporate clients and plans to expand the model beyond Bitcoin.
- Sberbank’s expansion depends on regulatory approval for Ethereum and USDT, alongside applicable custody and collateral rules.
Sberbank plans to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether as loan collateral under Russia’s new digital asset rules. Anatoly Popov, the bank’s deputy chairman, said the lender will expand its crypto-backed lending after the framework takes full effect. The plan depends on Bank of Russia approval for public circulation of ETH and USDT.
Sberbank Builds on Existing Crypto Lending
According to TASS, Popov said Sberbank already has practical experience working with cryptocurrency. The bank plans to adapt existing products once the new law fully takes effect. However, Bitcoin will not remain the only asset eligible for secured lending.
Sberbank plans to add Ethereum and Tether’s USDT once regulators permit their public circulation. Notably, the bank has already tested crypto-backed lending with corporate clients.
In December 2025, Sberbank completed a pilot loan secured by cryptocurrency mined by Intelion Data. The bank used its Rutoken storage system to safeguard the collateral during the loan period. Popov said Sberbank plans to develop the model further for companies holding digital assets.
Russia Sets Rules for Crypto Market Access
The planned expansion comes as Russia prepares a regulated framework for digital currency activity. The new regime covers buying, selling and holding cryptocurrencies through approved intermediaries.
Under the framework, non-qualified investors must pass testing and face a 300,000-ruble annual purchase limit. Qualified investors also face testing, but they do not face the same purchase cap.
Meanwhile, the Bank of Russia identified Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT for public exchange trading. The regulator considered market capitalization, average daily volume and five years of price history.
Those criteria provide the basis for the three assets to enter regulated market activity. However, Sberbank still requires applicable custody and collateral rules before expanding its lending products.
Crypto Trading Faces Additional Risk Controls
The Bank of Russia has also proposed rules for crypto assets used as margin collateral. The proposals include risk-coverage calculations for leverage levels and forced-liquidation thresholds.
In August, the regulator proposed limits on how cryptocurrencies could count toward prudential requirements. Professional market participants could include approved cryptocurrencies, but their share would remain capped at 25%.
Meanwhile, Popov said SberCIB analysts expect Russian crypto trading to reach 3.5 trillion to 4 trillion rubles. The estimate covers the market’s first year. By 2029, that figure could reach 7.5 trillion rubles.
Professional market participants have until July 1, 2027, to obtain required licenses. Crypto remains prohibited for domestic payments. However, exporters and importers can use digital assets for cross-border settlements.
