Sberbank Studies Crypto-Collateral Loans as Russia Targets July 2026 Digital Asset Rules

Sberbank's Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov said the bank is prepared to work with regulators on launching crypto-backed lending as Russia moves toward a July 1, 2026, deadline for a unified digital asset framework. Moscow and St. Petersburg exchanges have already confirmed they can support regulated crypto trading under the upcoming rules, which separate qualified and non-qualified investors and cap retail purchases at 300,000 rubles per year. Russia has recorded $376.3 billion in crypto receipts over 12 months, while Sberbank continues to expand tokenization and blockchain-based investment products ahead of the new regime.