Sberbank to Accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether as Loan Collateral

Sberbank has announced plans to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Tether as collateral for loans, contingent upon the Bank of Russia's approval for public circulation of these digital assets and the implementation of new cryptocurrency regulations. Anatoly Popov, the bank's deputy chairman, revealed this strategy in an interview, indicating that Sberbank will adapt its existing loan products to accommodate these changes and expand its offerings of crypto-backed loans.

The initiative comes in response to rising demand from businesses, particularly those involved in cryptocurrency mining, who seek liquidity without liquidating their digital assets. Popov noted that improved valuation methods for digital collateral could broaden access to these financial products for a wider range of clients.

Sberbank has previously tested the use of cryptocurrency as loan collateral, conducting a pilot transaction in December 2025 with Intelion Data, a mining operator. This pilot involved using mined digital currency as collateral, utilizing Sberbank's crypto storage system to secure the asset during the loan period. The bank's current plans are based on a regulatory framework rather than the experimental legal regime previously considered by Russian authorities.

The new regulations are set to take effect on September 1, with a transition period for market participants to comply by July 1, 2027. While Russia will continue to prohibit cryptocurrency payments within the country, the new framework will include existing financial institutions, crypto exchanges, and digital repositories, extending the regulatory requirements to foreign stablecoins as well.

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Source: KLEA News