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ZEC $1,194 Russia's Central Bank Approves Sberbank for Crypto Exchange Services
Sberbank is now authorized to run crypto exchange services in Russia under the country's new digital asset framework, with products planned for December 1.
Key takeaways
- October 12 approval date. The Bank of Russia added Sberbank to its crypto exchange register on October 12, 2026.
- December 1 product launch. Sberbank plans to roll out its first crypto products on December 1, 2026, via existing customer platforms.
- Three initial crypto assets. Sberbank's first supported assets will be Bitcoin, Ether and USDT for retail investors.
What happened
Russia's central bank added Sberbank to its register of authorized cryptocurrency exchange operators on October 12, 2026. The move grants the country's largest lender permission to run crypto exchange services under the nation's new digital asset framework. Sberbank had already been approved as a digital depository earlier that month, giving it both registrations created under the new rules. The bank said it will offer its first crypto products on December 1 through interfaces customers already use.
Why it matters
The approval expands Russia's regulated crypto market to include its largest retail bank, giving millions of existing customers access to crypto services through familiar platforms. Sberbank's dual registration as both an exchange operator and digital depository lets it handle end-to-end crypto services without third-party providers. The new framework, which took effect on September 1, 2026, creates a formal licensing system for crypto exchanges, custodians and related service providers in the country. All registered operators must comply with transaction rules immediately and meet full regulatory requirements by September 1, 2027.
What the data shows
- As of October 12, 2026, Russia's crypto exchange register includes 9 authorized operators, including Sberbank, VTB and T-Invest Lab.
- The digital depository register has 5 members, including VTB and Atomyze.
Background
Russia's new digital currency and digital rights law took effect on September 1, 2026, creating two new licensed crypto roles: exchange operators that buy and sell crypto on their own account, and depositories that track asset ownership. The Bank of Russia began accepting applications for these registrations on October 5, 2026, with simplified notification-based registration available for some established financial institutions.
What is still unclear
- It is not yet clear how U.S. Treasury sanctions rules for transactions involving blocked Russian institutions and fiat transfers will impact Sberbank's planned crypto services.
Questions readers ask
Is Sberbank approved for crypto exchange services in Russia?
Yes, the Bank of Russia added Sberbank to its authorized crypto exchange register on October 12, 2026. The bank had already been approved as a digital depository earlier that month.
When will Sberbank launch its crypto products?
Sberbank plans to roll out its first crypto products on December 1, 2026, through its existing digital banking platforms including SberBank Online, SberInvestments and SberBusiness.
What crypto assets will Sberbank support initially?
Sberbank's first supported crypto assets will be Bitcoin, Ether and USDT. Retail investors without qualified status can buy these assets with an annual cap of 300,000 rubles per intermediary, while qualified investors have no purchase limit.
