Sberbank Targets December Crypto Trading Rollout Amidst Tightened Russian Regulations

Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, is accelerating its plan to roll out full crypto trading infrastructure by December 2026. This move comes as Russia tightens market rules with new regulations set to take effect on September 1, 2026.

The regulation separates trading and custody from peer-to-peer activity, requiring licensed intermediaries like Sberbank to operate within a permissioned market architecture. This gives the central bank and financial intelligence units direct visibility into flows.

The timeline puts Sberbank at the center of a new regulatory framework that contrasts with Western regulators' gridlock on crypto legislation. The bank's infrastructure will likely run on established networks such as Ethereum, BNB Chain, and Polygon.