Russia’s Sberbank Moves Beyond Bitcoin as New Rules Arrive

TLDR

• Sberbank plans to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT as collateral for crypto-backed loans.
• The expansion will depend on approval from the Bank of Russia under the new crypto framework.
• Sberbank previously tested Bitcoin-backed lending with miner Intelion Data in December 2025.
• Russia’s new crypto law takes effect on September 1, 2026, allowing regulated crypto trading while banning domestic crypto payments.
• The Bank of Russia has proposed Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT for regulated public trading.

Sberbank plans to expand its crypto-backed lending program as Russia prepares new rules for digital assets. The bank wants to accept Bitcoin, Ether, and Tether’s USDT as loan collateral once regulators approve public trading of those assets. Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov said the lender will adjust its current products before adding more supported cryptocurrencies.

Sberbank Expands Crypto-Backed Lending Plans

Sberbank already tested bitcoin-backed lending in December 2025. The bank issued a loan to mining company Intelion Data and held the bitcoin collateral through its own custody service. Sberbank did not disclose the loan value.

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