Alfa‑Bank to launch crypto services as Russia’s new law takes effect while Strategy sells billions in Bitcoin

Russia’s largest private lender, Alfa‑Bank, announced it will build its own digital custodian and a full suite of cryptocurrency services once the country’s historic crypto‑regulation law comes into force on 1 September 2026. The bank aims to roll out the infrastructure between 2026 and 2027 to attract institutional clients and foreign capital, positioning itself against state‑backed rivals such as Sberbank, which plans its own custodian launch in December.

U.S.‑based firm Strategy announced the first sale of Bitcoin from its corporate treasury, offloading 3,588 BTC between 29 June and 5 July for roughly $216 million. The proceeds are earmarked for short‑term cash needs and dividend financing. Standard Chartered analysts downplayed the moves as “noise,” keeping a $100,000 price target for Bitcoin and noting the company’s market‑value‑adjusted net asset value (mNAV) has fallen, wiping out about $8.3 billion in unrealized losses.

Both developments highlight shifting strategies in the crypto‑finance sector as institutions adjust to tighter regulation and volatile market conditions.