Russia’s Sber eyes USDT loans, questions digital ruble demand

cointelegraphPublished on 2026-08-30Last updated on 2026-08-30

Abstract

Russia's largest bank, Sber, intends to expand its cryptocurrency-backed lending services to include Tether's USDt stablecoin and Ether as collateral, in addition to Bitcoin, following the enactment of a new Russian crypto law. The expansion is contingent upon approval from the Bank of Russia, which recently proposed these assets for regulated exchange trading. Concurrently, Sber has expressed skepticism regarding demand for Russia's central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital ruble, noting a lack of clear interest from retail, corporate, or institutional clients ahead of its broader launch.

Russia’s largest bank, Sber, plans to expand its crypto-backed lending to accept Tether’s USDt stablecoin and Ether as collateral alongside Bitcoin, according to a senior executive.

Sber will adapt its existing products and gradually expand its offerings as Russia’s new crypto law takes effect, Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov said, according to a Friday TASS report. The bank plans to add the assets as collateral after the Bank of Russia permits them for public trading, he said.

The plans come as Russia rolls out a regulated crypto market under a law signed by president Vladimir Putin on Aug. 4, with core provisions taking effect Sept. 1.

The law gives the Bank of Russia authority to determine which crypto assets can trade on regulated exchanges. The central bank proposed Bitcoin, Ether and USDT for regulated exchange trading on Aug. 11, saying they met requirements including market capitalization, trading volume and at least five years of price history on overseas markets.

Sber has taken a more cautious view of the digital ruble, Russia’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), ahead of its wider rollout on Sept. 1. Sber’s chief financial officer Taras Skvortsov reportedly said that the bank sees little evidence of broad demand for the CBDC.

“I don’t see any clear interest in this instrument, apart from the central bank’s,” Skvortsov said, adding that neither retail nor corporate clients nor financial institutions are actively pushing for the CBDC.

Related: Stablecoins not credible for payments at scale, BIS chief says

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Related Questions

QWhat are the two new cryptocurrencies that Sber plans to accept as loan collateral?

ASber plans to accept Tether's USDt stablecoin and Ether as collateral for loans.

QWhat condition must be met before Sber can add USDt and Ether as collateral for loans?

ASber can add these assets as collateral only after the Bank of Russia permits them for public trading on regulated exchanges.

QWhat is the significance of September 1st for Russia's crypto market?

AOn September 1st, the core provisions of Russia's new crypto law take effect, and the wider rollout of the digital ruble CBDC begins.

QAccording to the article, what is the general stance of Sberbank regarding the digital ruble?

ASberbank has taken a cautious view, with its CFO stating there is little evidence of broad demand for the digital ruble from retail or corporate clients or financial institutions.

QWhat criteria did the Bank of Russia use to propose Bitcoin, Ether, and USDT for regulated exchange trading?

AThe Bank of Russia proposed them based on criteria including their market capitalization, trading volume, and at least five years of price history on overseas markets.

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