Russia’s Sberbank Eyes $46B Crypto Trading, Plans Token Loans

This signals a major potential shift in Russia's crypto stance, with a state-backed banking giant moving beyond mere custody into active trading and lending. If approved, it could legitimize crypto as collateral in a major economy, attracting institutional players beyond Sberbank's client base. The scale of projected volume suggests officials expect significant domestic demand, likely driven by sanctions-related financial isolation. The key watchpoint is whether regulators impose restrictions on which assets—particularly foreign stablecoins like USDT—are eligible, as that would determine how integrated this becomes with global markets.