From Contract to Cryptocurrency Payment: Sberbank Unveils Legal Scheme for Settlements with Foreigners
Sber Bank plans to launch international business settlements in digital currencies via its SberBusiness app by the end of 2026. The bank's deputy chairman, Anatoly Popov, announced this ahead of the Eastern Economic Forum, stating the goal is to simplify digital currency use for businesses in cross-border trade. The legal basis is Federal Law No. 282-FZ "On Digital Currency and Digital Rights," effective September 1, 2026, which permits foreign trade crypto settlements through licensed intermediaries. A published guide outlines the process: a company signs a contract, transfers rubles to a licensed intermediary, who then buys and sends cryptocurrency to the recipient, with reporting for regulators generated automatically.
This service is positioned as an alternative channel for foreign trade, especially where traditional bank transfers face sanctions. Sber aims to integrate crypto payments into standard business tools within SberBusiness, avoiding the need for specialized technical knowledge. Development will depend on the practical application of the new law.
From a macro perspective, this initiative is seen not just as a technical innovation but also within the context of sanctions pressure on crypto markets. The article notes that licensed intermediaries could become targets for secondary sanctions, as seen with UK actions against crypto exchanges in summer 2026. The long-term viability of Sber's scheme may depend more on political dynamics than technology, following a historical pattern where new payment channels face regulatory countermeasures.
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