Sber plans crypto-backed loans with BTC and ETH

• Sberbank plans to accept Bitcoin, Ether and Tether as loan collateral after Russia’s new crypto rules take effect.
• The bank previously tested crypto-backed lending through a December 2025 pilot with mining company Intelion.
• Russia’s new crypto law takes effect on September 1, creating rules for trading, custody and digital asset services.

Sberbank plans to accept Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC), Ether (CRYPTO:ETH) and Tether (CRYPTO:USDT) as loan collateral.

The plan depends on Russia’s new cryptocurrency rules taking full effect, according to Sber deputy chairman Anatoly Popov.

Popov said Sberbank would adapt its existing products before gradually expanding its digital asset services.

Sberbank issued its first crypto-backed loan in December 2025 to Intelion, a Russian cryptocurrency mining company.

The pilot used Sberbank’s internal systems and Rutoken hardware, while the loan value and pledged cryptocurrency were not disclosed.

The Bank of Russia has listed Bitcoin, Ether and Tether among assets eligible for public exchange trading under proposed rules.

Russia’s broader crypto law takes effect on September 1, covering trading, custody and cross-border transactions while banning domestic crypto payments.

Following the announcement, Sberbank shares were unchanged at 268.58 Russian roubles on August 29, according to historical market data.

At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $77,688.51.