Sberbank plans to build infrastructure for cryptocurrency trading and launch a digital depository by Dec. 1, according to comments from first deputy chairman Alexander Vedyakhin reported by Interfax.

The plan is tied to Russia's broader effort to move crypto activity into a regulated financial-market structure. Interfax reported that the depository would keep records of client rights to cryptocurrency, account for operations outside the main blockchain and support transfers from active wallets when clients submit instructions.

The timing follows Russia's State Duma passing a law in its third reading on digital currencies and digital rights. Interfax described the bill as creating a framework that covers purchases through licensed intermediaries, exchange trading, clearing and digital depositories. Domestic crypto payments remain restricted, with exceptions including some foreign trade settlements, mining rewards, network fees and transactions involving securities or other digital assets.

For banks and exchanges, the important part is the infrastructure layer. The law creates roles for trading organizers, brokers, managers, exchange operators and digital depositories, while public exchange trading is limited to cryptocurrencies that meet central-bank criteria. Other assets may still be admitted in narrower qualified-investor settings.

Sberbank has already worked with digital financial assets and crypto-linked products. Interfax reported that the bank has been an information-system operator since 2022 and has offered qualified investors structured bonds and digital financial assets linked to bitcoin, ether and crypto baskets since 2025.