Sberbank to Offer Loans Backed by Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDT

Sberbank, a Russian bank, is planning to expand its crypto-backed lending business by accepting Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and USDT as collateral. The move comes after the bank completed a pilot Bitcoin-backed loan with Russian mining company Intelion Data in December 2025.

The expansion of Sberbank's crypto-backed lending business is conditional on regulatory approval, which will determine whether ETH and USDT can be used as loan collateral. According to Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov, the bank plans to add ETH and USDT after the Bank of Russia permits their public circulation.

Sberbank has prepared for the new regulatory framework, which takes effect on September 1, 2026, and has practical experience handling cryptocurrency. The bank intends to modify its existing products once every part of the new framework becomes effective.