Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, intends to launch a cryptocurrency wallet and a digital depository once the country’s crypto legislation takes effect, a step that would put a state-controlled lender at the center of Russia’s emerging digital asset market.
Kirill Tsarev, First Deputy Chairman of Sberbank’s Management Board, announced the plan to RBC Investments at the Bank of Russia Financial Congress. He said the bank will offer authorized cryptocurrency transactions in the Sber and SberInvestments apps after lawmakers adopt the bill “On Digital Currency and Digital Rights.”
Vladimir Chistyukhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank, said the law regulating the Russian crypto market is expected to take force on September 1. Tsarev said Sberbank plans to launch a crypto wallet within a few months of that date. The bank aims to build the infrastructure for cryptocurrency trading and to launch a digital depository for storing and accounting for crypto by December 1.
“As regulations emerge, we will prepare a service for our clients. Essentially, it will be a crypto wallet, which we will implement first in Sberbank Online and SberInvestments,” Tsarev said.
He added that firm deadlines will depend on the final text of the law and on the availability of updated Sber apps in online stores. Tsarev did not rule out that Android users will receive the new interface ahead of others.
A proposed amendment to the bill would let Russians trade on foreign exchanges through domestic intermediaries. Tsarev said Sberbank will consider becoming such an intermediary, though the decision will depend on regulatory requirements in Russia and abroad.
Russian banks are embracing crypto
Sberbank has signaled its readiness to enter crypto trading as the country moves toward regulation.
The bank is not alone. Moscow Exchange announced a planned launch of cryptocurrency operations by the end of 2026, according to group representative Igor Marich.
VTB and T-Bank Group announced plans to create their own digital depositories for crypto once the law takes effect. Russia is weighing a simplified licensing path for bank-run crypto exchanges.
The framework, developed by the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Russia, would establish licensed companies to keep records of digital assets, organize crypto trading, conduct digital-to-fiat exchange, and handle cross-border crypto settlements on behalf of clients.
Russians will gain the right to trade crypto on local exchanges after testing and within limits set for non-qualified investors, a move that opens Bitcoin access to retail investors.
Chistyukhin said crypto transactions under the new rules could begin in November 2026. A transition period will run until July 1, 2027, and criminal liability for violations will take effect in mid-2027.
