Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, has received approval from the Bank of Russia to operate as a cryptocurrency exchange, clearing the way for planned trading in Bitcoin, Ether and Tether USDt. The lender is preparing to introduce the service in December, although its final launch schedule remains subject to additional central bank rules.
Sberbank prepares crypto service
Sberbank has said it intends to launch crypto products on Dec. 1, 2026, through its SberBank Online, SberInvestments and SberBusiness platforms. The planned offering is expected to support Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH) and Tether USDt (USDT).
The bank has already started testing cryptocurrency purchases, sales, deposits and withdrawals through its SberBank Online application, according to a report by Russian business newspaper Vedomosti that cited Sberbank’s press office. The bank has emphasized that the timing of a full public launch will depend on further regulations from the central bank.
The approval gives Sberbank a place in Russia’s newly expanded regulated crypto market. VTB, another major Russian lender, is also included among the authorized operators. The register additionally lists nonbank companies including T-Invest Lab and Atomyze.
Russia expands central-bank oversight
The Bank of Russia’s updated register, dated Tuesday, names 10 authorized cryptocurrency exchange operators and six digital custodians. One week earlier, the lists contained four exchange operators and five custodians.
The registrations follow the introduction of Russia’s new cryptocurrency rules on Sept. 1. Under the new framework, exchange operators and digital custodians are placed under the supervision of the Bank of Russia. Sberbank was among the first companies to receive digital custodian status, obtaining it the previous Tuesday.
The regulatory changes allow approved institutions to provide specified crypto-related services under central-bank oversight. They do not, however, make cryptocurrencies legal for everyday payments: Russia continues to prohibit the use of digital assets to pay for goods and services.
Current crypto market picture
Moneyiar market data at 8:39 p.m. local time on Oct. 13, 2026, showed Bitcoin at $83,172.89, up 0.23% over 24 hours but down 2.89% over seven days. Ether was priced at $2,506.12, with a 24-hour decline of 0.55% and a seven-day decline of 7.09%.
Tether USDt was trading at $0.99895, up 0.02% in the previous 24 hours and down 0.1% over seven days. Moneyiar also recorded Comedian (BAN) at $0.05866, down 2.3% over 24 hours and 10.6% over seven days.
Sberbank’s planned service would bring trading in the three largest assets named in its announcement directly into platforms already used for its banking and investment products. The bank’s testing and regulatory registration mark steps toward the December rollout, but the final availability and timing remain linked to the Bank of Russia’s additional requirements.
