Sberbank, Russia’s largest banking institution, is targeting December 1, 2026, to roll out a full cryptocurrency trading and custody platform. The service will support regulated trading, settlement, and digital asset custody for eligible customers across Russia.
The bank’s digital depository system is designed to maintain records of crypto ownership and handle various operations off the public blockchain. This setup includes managing wallets for deposits, withdrawals, and transfers within a controlled infrastructure.
Russia’s Evolving Crypto Framework
Russia plans to launch a new regulatory framework for crypto exchanges, brokers, banks, and digital depositories starting September 1, 2026. Licensing compliance will be mandatory by July 1, 2027, allowing companies additional time to meet official requirements. Under these rules, non-qualified investors must pass a knowledge test before purchasing cryptocurrencies, with a yearly purchase limit of 300,000 rubles per intermediary. Qualified investors, meanwhile, will face fewer restrictions and gain access to a broader range of crypto assets.
Alexander Vedyakhin, Sberbank’s first deputy chairman, confirmed the bank's intent to finish the infrastructure and launch the digital custody system on schedule. However, details such as supported cryptocurrencies, fees, and withdrawal limits have yet to be disclosed. These will likely depend on further regulatory clarifications from Russian authorities.
The system will allow customers to hold registered crypto rights within Sberbank’s platform while transactions with external wallets will be executed through bank-controlled wallets. This approach aims to create a secure and compliant environment for crypto asset management in Russia.
