Sberbank Expands Lending Services to Include Crypto-Backed Loans

Russia's largest bank, Sber, is expanding its lending services to include cryptocurrency-backed loans. According to Anatoly Popov, deputy chairman of Sber's management board, the bank plans to accept BTC, ETH, and USDT as collateral for loans. This move follows the implementation of Russia's new cryptocurrency regulations and the central bank's admission of these assets to public trading.

The bank has already tested crypto-backed lending in a pilot program with Intelion, a Russian industrial cryptocurrency mining company, which issued its first loan in December 2025. The transaction used Sber's internal systems and the Rutoken hardware platform to receive the digital collateral.

Sber intends to adapt its existing products to the new requirements before gradually expanding its digital asset offerings. Popov said that the bank could broaden its collateral list after every provision of the new regulation becomes effective, which is scheduled for September 1.