Sberbank Eyes Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT as Collateral for Future Loans

Sberbank announced that it intends to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum and the stablecoin Tether (USDT) as collateral for ruble‑denominated loans, once the required regulatory approvals are obtained.

Regulatory backdrop

Russia’s new cryptocurrency market framework comes into force on September 1, 2026. The rules, overseen by the Central Bank, will create a regulated environment for banks, brokers, exchanges and digital depositories. Both qualified and non‑qualified investors will be able to transact through approved intermediaries, though retail access will remain limited and payments for goods and services will stay prohibited.

Current status of Sberbank’s crypto lending

The bank completed a pilot Bitcoin‑backed loan with mining firm Intelion Data in December 2025, gaining experience in custody, collateral monitoring and enforcement. At present, Sberbank only offers Bitcoin‑collateralised loans; the addition of Ethereum and USDT will occur only after the Central Bank authorises their public circulation.

Infrastructure development

Sberbank is building a digital depository slated for launch by December 1, 2026. The platform will record ownership, manage wallets and support deposits, withdrawals and settlements, though the specific cryptocurrencies it will support have not been disclosed.

Next steps and conditions

• Bank of Russia must finalize standards for eligible assets, custody, accounting and customer protection.
• Sberbank must publish commercial terms, including valuation methods, margin requirements and procedures for price drops.
• Market participants have until July 1, 2027, to obtain necessary licences under the new framework.

Until these regulatory conditions are met, the expanded collateral offering remains a plan rather than an available product.