Sberbank Expands Into DeFi and Crypto-Linked Products Amid Regulatory Talks
Russia's largest lender Sberbank is making strategic moves into decentralized finance, testing DeFi tools while offering regulated crypto investment products. The state-backed bank has already facilitated 1.5 billion rubles ($16.4 million) in crypto-linked instrument issuance.
Senior executives revealed at Moscow's 'FI Day. AI & Blockchain' conference that the bank is working closely with Russia's central bank and financial monitoring agency to create a regulated framework for digital assets. Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov emphasized the institution's focus on allowing qualified investors to access crypto through traditional banking channels while maintaining financial stability controls.
Notably, Sberbank is exploring integration with public blockchains—a significant development for a systemically important Russian financial institution. The move signals growing institutional acceptance of blockchain infrastructure despite the country's historically cautious stance toward cryptocurrency markets.