Sberbank has applied to the Bank of Russia for digital depository status, which would allow the bank to support cryptocurrency trading. The bank’s press office announced the move.
This status gives the right to keep records of digital currencies and digital rights, handle their transfers, and give clients access to the address identifiers where these assets are held.
At launch, clients will be able to use bitcoin, ether and the USDT stablecoin. The new features will be built into Sber’s existing services: SberBank Online, SberInvestments and SberBusiness.
The bank plans to roll out its first products by December 1. However, the final timeline depends on the central bank’s decision on the application and on whether the secondary regulations governing the market are ready in time.
This isn’t Sber’s first move into digital assets. Since 2025, the bank has offered qualified investors structured bonds and digital financial assets (DFAs) linked to bitcoin and ether.
