Bank of Russia Licenses 17 Crypto Firms as Sberbank and VTB Prepare Retail Trading

Key Facts

1The Bank of Russia has added 17 firms to its crypto exchange register since October 6.

2Sberbank and VTB are preparing to offer crypto trading to retail investors by the end of the year.

3Retail buyers will be limited to 300,000 roubles per year through any single intermediary.

The Bank of Russia has added 17 firms to its crypto exchange register since October 6, DL News reported. Major lenders Sberbank and VTB are preparing to offer crypto trading services to retail investors by the end of the year, with retail buyers limited to an annual purchase cap of 300,000 roubles through any single intermediary.

Russia is moving toward a regulated crypto framework to facilitate retail access and potentially mitigate international payment pressures. The regulatory progress indicates a shift toward integrating digital assets into the formal banking system under central bank oversight.

The Bank of Russia is scheduled to announce its Interest Rate Decision on October 23, 2026, with forecasts suggesting rates will remain at 14%. This decision may influence domestic liquidity and retail investor appetite for the newly licensed trading platforms.