Sberbank Expands Crypto-Backed Lending to Corporates

Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, announced plans on Friday to expand cryptocurrency-backed lending to corporate clients following a successful pilot program late last year, as the country advances toward a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets by July 2026.

The state-owned lender issued its first such loan in December 2025 to AO Intelion Data, a major bitcoin mining firm, using self-mined cryptocurrency as collateral secured through Sberbank's internal custody system and hardware tokens. The pilot tested technological and operational aspects of handling digital assets as loan security, according to a bank spokesperson. Officials described the initiative as a step toward broader adoption, with Sberbank now preparing infrastructure to scale the service. "We are ready to engage in dialogue with the Central Bank to develop appropriate regulatory solutions for the launch of such services," the spokesperson told reporters. The program will target not only miners but also any businesses holding digital assets like bitcoin and ether on their balance sheets, driven by strong corporate demand for liquidity without selling holdings.

This development coincides with similar...