Sberbank Gears Up Crypto Loans Ahead of New Rules

Sberbank is pushing forward with a plan to give loans backed by crypto and to work closely with the central bank on new rules that will make it smoother for borrowers. The bank tried out this idea back in January, giving its first bitcoin‑backed loan to IntelionData, calling it a pilot that could grow into more deals later. In 2025 the volume of digital assets issued hit RUB 408 billion (about $5. 3 bn), a jump of 5. 6 times from 2024 and 204 times larger than 2023. Sberbank’s regulated DFA business is expanding fast, with holdings going up to RUB 185 billion over the past six months—more than sevenfold in that time. December figures show a still‑dominant balance sheet: corporate loans were RUB 30. 4 trillion ($365 bn), retail loans RUB 18. 8 trillion ($226 bn) and client deposits at RUB 33. 1 trillion ($398 bn).Tokenized assets are a small but rapidly scaling part of Russia’s biggest lender. Deputy chairman Anatoly Popov said the bank already offers structured bonds, digital financial assets in bitcoin and ether, and is testing DeFi instruments that could help crypto grow within Russian law. He added that Sberbank plans to target not only mining firms but also other businesses that keep crypto on their books. Sovcombank was the first Russian bank to roll out crypto‑backed lending on Feb 5 for individuals and companies. In December 2025, the central bank opened new rules for crypto, with expected law completion by July 1, 2026. The plan will therefore combine mining firms, DeFi testing and legal certainty to bring more loans secured by cryptocurrency into Russia’s largest lender.