Sberbank Plans Crypto Custody Services in Russia
Sberbank plans to launch secure crypto custody services for Russian investors.
The bank aims to regulate crypto holdings like ordinary bank accounts for extra safety.
Sberbank expands crypto offerings with a Bitcoin-linked structured bond in rubles.
Sberbank, Russia’s largest bank, is taking a big step forward in the crypto space. The bank has announced that it plans to offer custody services for domestic crypto assets. According to Reuters, Sberbank has already submitted proposals to the Russian central bank to assist in making the regulations for this new service.
Sberbank Expands Crypto Services with Bitcoin-Linked Bond
This move comes as more banks worldwide now offer similar services. Anatoly Pronin, Sberbank’s executive director for alternative payment solutions, explained the bank’s vision. He said Sberbank wants crypto assets regulated just like ordinary bank accounts. This implies that the bank will ensure the security of the tokens held by it.
Pronin said this in an interview about cryptocurrency regulation. He emphasized that it is important to safeguard the assets of the clients. Crypto assets may be frozen in case of any suspicion of malpractice with a trusted custodian. Meanwhile, it simplifies and secures transactions for clients. This is able to safeguard accounts against hackers and fraud.
According to local experts, crypto custody is important. Gleb Zemskoy, the head of blockchain and digital currency development at Insight Finance, expressed his opinion. He observed that custodians are helping to sustain the world crypto economy, yet the majority of this activity is taken over by privately owned, foreign-based firms, a factor that poses large risks. He believes that the local custodian, like Sberbank, would reduce that risk to investors in Russia.
Sberbank is also developing other crypto products besides custody services. As an example, the bank issued a structured bond on June 2, which was based on Bitcoin and the rate of exchange of the USD/ruble. The product enables eligible investors to make returns depending on the variation of the price of Bitcoin and the dollar. Sberbank reports that all of these transactions are in rubles and are according to Russian legislation.
Sberbank to Stabilize Russia New Crypto Market
Meanwhile, Sberbank has bigger plans for the future. In May 2025, the bank declared that it is interested in becoming an official market maker of Russia’s new regulated crypto platforms. This move was made following the new regulations that the government placed on digital assets. Alexander Zozulya, director of the global markets department at Sberbank, said that the bank will become a liquidity provider. This implies that it will stabilize the market by ensuring that buyers and sellers are always available.
However, these new crypto platforms are available to very qualified investors only. Zozulya emphasized that Russia wants clear, strict crypto trading rules, making this requirement essential. Through regulating the buyer and seller, the government expects to deter illegal actions and ensure the market is free of serious investors.
Finally, the fact that Sberbank is planning to provide crypto custody services demonstrates its innovative spirit. The bank wishes to remain on top as the world of finance evolves. Sberbank is gaining credibility in the Russian crypto market by securing the digital assets of its clients and operating within the local jurisdiction.
This step may encourage larger investors and make the crypto market in Russia more reliable. Sberbank is showing the way that conventional finance can collaborate with the rapidly expanding universe of digital assets, with other banks taking a close interest.
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Filed under: Bitcoin - @ July 18, 2025 5:28 pm