Sberbank files with Bank of Russia for digital depository status
In short
Sberbank has filed an application with the Bank of Russia for digital depository status, which would let it hold and record digital currencies and digital rights for clients. The bank plans to launch its first products by 1 December 2026, starting with bitcoin, ether and the USDT stablecoin inside its existing Sberbank Online, Sberinvestments and Sberbusiness services, though it says the timing depends on the regulator's decision and on subordinate regulations. Atomize has also applied for the status, and Reuters reported that five other banks plan to.
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Sberbank has filed an application with the Bank of Russia for digital depository status, the bank's press service said. The status gives the right to keep records of digital currencies and digital rights, to ensure their transfer and to give clients access to identifier addresses where such assets are held, the bank said, according to Kommersant. TASS reported that the launch of the first products could take place in December. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The bank said clients would initially be able to carry out operations with bitcoin, ether and the USDT stablecoin, with the necessary functions appearing in the existing Sberbank Online, Sberinvestments and Sberbusiness services; no separate applications or new entry points would be required, Vedomosti reported. Sberbank says it plans to launch its first products by 1 December 2026, but the exact timing depends on the Bank of Russia's decision on the application and on the readiness of subordinate regulations governing the market. [ 2 , 3 ]
Kommersant described the market as designed mainly as a closed custodial loop, with assets held in depository accounts and withdrawals to Web3 wallets substantially restricted and intended primarily for participants in foreign economic activity. Non-qualified investors would have access to a limited set of assets — bitcoin, ether and USDT — and purchases through a single licensed intermediary would be capped at 300,000 roubles a year, the paper said. In this model the digital depository is responsible above all for storing and recording assets, while purchases of digital currencies on crypto exchanges go through a licensed intermediary such as a broker, Kommersant reported. [ 2 ]
Sberbank already has experience with digital assets: since 2025 it has offered qualified investors structured bonds and digital financial assets linked to bitcoin and ether, Kommersant reported. [ 2 ]
Vedomosti reported that Russia's new system for accounting for cryptocurrencies began operating on 1 September, with federal law 282-FZ “On digital currencies and digital rights” introducing the institution of digital depositories. Atomize, part of the T-Technologies group, has also applied for the status, and on 25 September Reuters, citing sources, reported that Alfa-Bank, Sovcombank, Ozon Bank, PSB and Gazprombank planned to apply to the Bank of Russia, Vedomosti said. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
An approved status would let Sberbank offer crypto-related services through apps its clients already use, inside a closed custodial framework that limits withdrawals to Web3 wallets and caps non-qualified investors' purchases at 300,000 roubles a year. The application is one of several the documents say are expected, indicating how banks intend to operate under Russia's new digital-asset regime. The practical start depends on rules the Bank of Russia has yet to finalise.
Key facts
- Sberbank filed an application with the Bank of Russia for digital depository status [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The bank plans to launch its first products by 1 December 2026, subject to the regulator's decision on the application and the readiness of subordinate regulations [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Initial operations for clients would cover bitcoin, ether and the USDT stablecoin [ 2 , 3 ]
- The functions would appear in the existing Sberbank Online, Sberinvestments and Sberbusiness services, with no separate apps or new entry points [ 2 , 3 ]
- The status gives the right to keep records of digital currencies and digital rights, ensure their transfer and give clients access to identifier addresses where such assets are held [ 2 ]
- Sberbank has offered qualified investors structured bonds and digital financial assets linked to bitcoin and ether since 2025 [ 2 ]
- Under the model described, non-qualified investors are limited to a set of assets — bitcoin, ether and USDT — and purchases through one licensed intermediary are capped at 300,000 roubles a year [ 2 ]
- Atomize, part of the T-Technologies group, has also applied for digital depository status, and Reuters reported that five more banks planned to apply [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Whether the Bank of Russia will approve the application The documents say the timing depends on the regulator's decision and report no approval so far
- Whether Alfa-Bank, Sovcombank, Ozon Bank, PSB and Gazprombank have filed applications Vedomosti cites a 25 September Reuters report, based on sources, that they planned to apply; the documents do not say they have filed
- The final requirements for digital depositories, the list of permitted cryptocurrencies and the rules for organised trading Kommersant says the law sets only a general framework and that the regulator still has to set these details
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports Sberbank filed an application with the Bank of Russia for digital depository status, with first products possibly launching in December [ 1 ]
- Kommersant reports the filing, the bitcoin, ether and USDT plan, the use of existing Sber services and the 1 December target [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti reports the filing, the 1 December 2026 launch plan and that Atomize has also applied, with Reuters naming five more banks that planned to [ 3 ]