Sberbank plans to launch BTC, ETH, USDT mortgage loans, Russian encryption regulations come into eff

TLDR: Russian Savings Bank expands crypto mortgage loans under Russian new regulations, Russia strengthens risk controls, and cryptocurrency transactions expand. Russia's Savings Bank plans to provide Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT mortgages after the launch of Russia's Regulated Crypto Framework on September 1. The annual limit for non-qualified investors to purchase cryptocurrencies through each approved intermediary is 300,000 rubles. SberCIB predicts that the trading volume of Russian cryptocurrency exchanges will reach 3.5 trillion to 4 trillion rubles in the first year after legalization. Professional companies must obtain licenses by July 1, 2027, when cryptocurrencies will enter the Russian regulated market. Russia's Savings Bank expands crypto mortgages under Russia's new regulations Russia's Savings Bank (Sberbank) is planning to introduce digital assets into traditional banking, accepting Bitcoin, Ethereum and TEDA (USDT) as loan collateral. The plan will expand a previous loan pilot while Russia begins implementing a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency trading and holding. Anatoly Popov, vice chairman of Russia's Savings Bank, said the bank intends to expand the scope of qualified crypto collateral from Bitcoin to Ethereum and USDT. This expansion is contingent on the full implementation of central bank rules after the law takes effect on September 1. Russia Crypto-mortgage extension under new regulations Russia The new system of the company creates regulated channels for buying, selling and holding digital currencies through approved intermediaries. Non-qualified investors must pass the test and the annual purchase limit for each intermediary institution is 300,000 rubles. Qualified investors will also be tested, but will not face the same purchase cap. At the same time, Russia's central bank listed Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT as publicly traded assets. The central bank selected these assets based on market value, average daily trading volume and at least five years of foreign market price history. This determination gives Russian Savings Bank a clearer regulatory basis when using these three assets for secured loans. However, any broader promotion will still depend on custody standards, risk calculations and collateral management requirements. These safeguards are particularly important because cryptocurrency prices can fluctuate significantly, potentially reducing the value of collateral before the borrower repays the loan. In this regulatory context, Russian Savings Bank has tested its lending model with corporate customers. In December 2025, the bank completed a pilot loan backed by cryptocurrency obtained from mining by Intelion Data, providing an early example of how digital assets can support corporate financing. According to reports, Russian Savings Bank uses its Rutoken storage system to protect collateral throughout the loan period. Popov said that based on the pilot, the model could ultimately serve a wider range of companies holding digital assets, rather than just cryptocurrency miners. Russia Strengthen risk control, expand cryptocurrency trading While launching the loan business, regulators are connecting the cryptocurrency market with traditional finance. In July this year, Russia's Central Bank drafted rules allowing brokers to accept cryptocurrencies and digital rights as margin collateral. These proposals require risk coverage calculations to determine leverage levels and mandatory closing thresholds. In August, regulators further proposed restrictions on the proportion of cryptocurrency assets to be included in prudential requirements. Under the proposal, professional market participants can include exchange-approved cryptocurrencies as qualifying assets, but their proportion is capped at 25%, to limit balance sheet exposure to volatile digital assets. At the same time, the potential market remains huge. Popov said that SberCIB analysts expect that the cryptocurrency trading volume on the Russian exchange will reach 3.5 trillion to 4 trillion rubles in the first year, and as regulated markets develop, this figure may rise to 7.5 trillion rubles by 2029. In addition, professional market participants must obtain the required licenses by July 1, 2027. Even as the market expands, Russia still clearly distinguishes between cryptocurrency investment and domestic payments. Cryptocurrencies are still prohibited for local transactions, but exporters and importers can use digital assets for cross-border settlements. In this regulatory context, Russia Savings Bank's planned launch of Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT mortgages will further promote the integration of cryptocurrencies into traditional finance. These assets are not used as payment currencies, but as collateral for bank loans. The structure allows business owners to gain liquidity without immediately selling digital assets. However, custody standards, collateral valuations, clearing procedures and loan limits will remain at the core of risk management. If implemented under the new framework, Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT will serve as recognized collateral for regulated bank loans, playing a broader role in the Russian financial system.