Sberbank plans to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether’s USDT as collateral for loans as Russia prepares to bring a new regulated cryptocurrency market into force on September 1.
Anatoly Popov, deputy chairman of Sberbank’s management board, outlined plans to expand lending secured by digital assets as the bank adapts its existing products to the incoming framework. Sber intends to support Bitcoin, Ethereum and Tether as collateral as the regulatory requirements governing their circulation become effective.
Sberbank Expands Crypto-Backed Lending
The bank has been preparing its lending infrastructure ahead of the regulatory shift and intends to expand the range of digital assets it can accept as security in stages.
Bitcoin is already part of Sberbank’s crypto-collateral strategy, while Ethereum and USDT are included in its planned expansion. The Bank of Russia has already placed all three assets on the public-circulation list for exchange trading under the new framework, based on criteria including market capitalization, average daily volume and at least five years of foreign-market pricing history.
The decision follows an earlier Russian regulatory proposal that would limit non-qualified investors primarily to Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT, while qualified investors would receive broader access to cryptocurrencies available through regulated markets.
Intelion Pilot Tested Crypto as Loan Security
Sberbank tested the model in December 2025 through a corporate loan issued to mining operator AO Intelion Data. The collateral consisted of cryptocurrency mined through Intelion’s own computing infrastructure.
Sber used its own cryptocurrency custody technology together with a Rutoken hardware solution to secure the collateral during the loan period. The pilot gave the bank a working model for holding digital assets while they remain pledged against conventional corporate credit.
Popov said at the time that the structure could eventually serve companies holding crypto assets beyond the mining sector.
Russia’s Crypto Framework Starts September 1
Russia’s new cryptocurrency law takes effect on September 1, creating regulated channels for buying, selling and holding digital currencies through brokers, management companies, exchanges and digital repositories. The framework maintains Russia’s prohibition on domestic crypto payments while permitting cryptocurrency use in cross-border settlements.
The legislation followed the State Duma’s earlier crypto bill vote establishing the licensing structure and a 300,000-ruble annual purchase limit per intermediary for non-qualified investors.
Professional market participants have until July 1, 2027 to obtain licenses and bring their operations into compliance. Sberbank plans to adapt its existing products as the September 1 framework takes effect and expand its crypto-backed lending lineup as the remaining regulatory provisions become operational.
