What Is Sberbank’s Crypto-Backed Loans Rollout Plan in Russia?

Crypto-Backed Loans Gain Traction: Russia’s Sberbank Plans The Launch

Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, is exploring crypto-backed loans, a move that could reshape how digital assets are used in the country’s financial system. With this initiative, users can borrow cash without selling their digital assets, making it attractive for long-term holders.

Is Sberbank launching crypto-backed loans now? Not yet, but groundwork is clearly underway.

Speaking to TASS, Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov confirmed that Sberbank is considering offering ruble loans backed by cryptocurrency collateral, but only in coordination with regulators. 

Source: TASS Official

He noted that digital asset's regulation in the country is still developing, but the bank is prepared to collaborate closely with the Central Bank of Russia to create compliant solutions.

As the adoption rises across Russia, could crypto-backed lending soon become a regulated reality? Well, Sberbank is ready to help build the required infrastructure and such transactions, it seems possible in the near future.

Cryptocurrency Loans and Regulation: What Sberbank Is Planning

Sberbank has already shown interest in digital finance. Since the start of the year, it has issued more than 160 digital assets on its platform, including tokenized products linked to real estate and oil.

Under this model, borrowers would receive ruble-denominated loan while pledging digital assets such as Bitcoin or Ethereum as collateral. This approach mirrors practices already used by some regulated banks in Switzerland and Asia, though it would be a first for Russia’s traditional banking sector.

Why This Matters: If approved, Sberbank’s crypto-backed loans could signal a turning point for the country’s banking sector. Users could access liquidity without selling digital coins while giving banks a new collateral-based product.

Central Bank Framework Supports The Growth

On December 23, the Central Bank of Russia released a long-awaited framework to regulate crypto trading. The proposal legally recognizes cryptocurrencies and stablecoins as “currency values,” though still banned for everyday payments.

Source: Press Release

The framework introduces a two-tier investor system. Retail investors will be under limits and risk tests, while qualified investors will have more access. This clearer structure pushes Sberbank’s vision to roll out crypto-backed loans very soon, although under strict supervision.

From Bans to Acceptance: Russia Crypto Adoption

The country sees rapid growth in digital asset usage, still after not recognizing it as a valid asset. According to Chainalysis, Russia moved over $376 billion in crypto transactions between July 2024 and June 2025, making it Europe’s largest crypto market by volume.

Cryptocurrency is widely used in the country for trading, savings, and cross-border transfers. Large transactions above $10 million rose 86% year-on-year, while DeFi activity surged sharply in early 2025. 

Reason Behind Adoption? This surge is largely driven by ongoing sanctions the country has to face in recent times or over the times. The decentralized nature of crypto assets provide the companies a solution to continue their work even in heavy economic pressures.  

These trends suggest growing demand for financial products that bridge traditional banking and virtual assets. And understanding this needs the regulators, although gradually, working on it. 

Future: Growth With World

Although crypto-backed loans are still rather rare in the traditional banking sector, certain financial institutions have already started offering this kind of service worldwide. The Sygnum Bank in Switzerland, offers credit lines that can be secured with the help of assets such as Bitcoin and ETH, and then there is the crypto lending service for high net worth groups provided by the AMINA Bank.

Aligning with them, Sberbank's initiative could put Russia into a small but increasing group of banks that are testing loans backed by cryptocurrency.

Since Russia’s major exchanges have plans to introduce regulated crypto trading by 2026, crypto loans may be integrated into a digital finance system. However, regulators warn about volatility and risks, suggesting any rollout will be cautious and closely supervised.