Sberbank and VTB receive Russian crypto custody and trading licenses

Russia has begun implementing its new regulatory framework for digital assets following the enactment of the ‘Digital Currencies and Digital Rights’ law on September 1. The Bank of Russia has officially added major financial institutions, including Sberbank and VTB Bank, to the registry of digital custodians. This authorization allows these banks to record digital currencies and rights, manage the transfer of such assets, and provide customers with access to digital addresses for storage.

VTB Bank has secured additional authorization as a registered exchange operator, enabling it to trade cryptocurrencies on its own account outside of organized markets. VTB aims to expand access to crypto transactions for a broader range of investors by the end of the year and has already conducted its first digital currency transactions with corporate clients.

Sberbank is scheduled to launch its first cryptocurrency products on December 1, 2026. Under the new regulations, retail investors face a purchase limit of 300,000 rubles per year per intermediary. While several companies have already registered under transitional provisions, they must achieve full regulatory compliance by September 1, 2027.