--- title: "Bank of Russia Registers 17 Crypto Exchanges as Sberbank and VTB Prepare Retail Launch" description: "VTB and Sberbank secure exchange and depository licenses, with consumer trading set to launch under a 300,000-rouble annual ceiling." url: https://basisdesk.news/news/bank-of-russia-clears-crypto-exchanges-sberbank-vtb published: 2026-10-23T00:01:52.961Z modified: 2026-10-23T00:01:52.961Z section: Regulation & Policy author: Basis Desk Newsroom (AI-generated, source-verified) sentiment: neutral tickers: [BTC, ETH, USDT] tags: [bank-of-russia, sberbank, vtb, russia, licensing, crypto-exchanges] license: Quote with attribution to Basis Desk (basisdesk.news). Not financial advice. --- # Bank of Russia Registers 17 Crypto Exchanges as Sberbank and VTB Prepare Retail Launch VTB and Sberbank secure exchange and depository licenses, with consumer trading set to launch under a 300,000-rouble annual ceiling. ## At a glance - **What happened:** The Bank of Russia expanded its crypto exchange registry to 17 entities, clearing major banks Sberbank and VTB to launch digital asset trading. - **Why it matters:** The framework establishes regulated institutional access for retail traders while consolidating crypto volume inside state-controlled depository infrastructure. - **Who is affected:** Russian commercial banks, licensed domestic digital depositories, and retail cryptocurrency investors. - **Takes effect:** 2026-09-01 - **What's next:** VTB plans to roll out trading to retail clients through VTB My Investments in November 2026. - **Status:** in-effect - **Primary source:** [Bank of Russia clears 17 crypto exchangers as Sberbank and VTB ready retail trading](https://www.dlnews.com/articles/regulation/bank-of-russia-clears-crypto-exchangers-sberbank-and-vtb/) — dlnews.com ## Key points - The Bank of Russia registered 17 crypto exchange providers and eight digital depositories under its digital currency legal framework. - VTB and Sberbank target retail cryptocurrency rollouts in November and December 2026, respectively. - Non-qualified investors face an annual trading cap of 300,000 roubles per intermediary, while domestic crypto payments remain banned. ## Editorial remark - **Context:** Russia instituted its 'On Digital Currencies and Digital Rights' law on Sept. 1, 2026, transitioning from experimental regulatory sandboxes to a formal licensing architecture for state banks and brokers. - **Impact:** State-backed institutions like Sberbank and VTB will monopolize retail crypto flows under strict custody requirements, standardizing access while sidelining informal peer-to-peer markets. - **Watch:** VTB's retail rollout via VTB My Investments in November 2026, followed by Sberbank's consumer product launch targeted for Dec. 1, 2026. The Bank of Russia has expanded its official crypto exchange provider registry to 17 companies, granting clearance to major state-controlled lenders including Sberbank and VTB as domestic institutions prepare to roll out consumer cryptocurrency services [1]. The central bank added its 17th exchange provider, Prosto LLC, following the launch of the registry on Oct. 6, 2026 [1]. A parallel digital depository registry, which tracks digital asset ownership, now lists eight approved entities [1]. The expansion operationalizes Russia's "On Digital Currencies and Digital Rights" framework, which took effect on Sept. 1, 2026, establishing legal rails for digital asset operations within the domestic banking sector [1]. At the time of writing, $BTC traded at $81,307, while $ETH changed hands at $2,386. Sberbank and VTB hold both depository and exchange provider designations, authorizing them to execute principal crypto transactions and hold custody of client assets [1]. VTB began processing corporate stablecoin transactions through its depository infrastructure on Oct. 6, 2026 [1]. Vitaly Sergeichuk, VTB's deputy president, stated the bank plans to introduce crypto trading via its VTB My Investments platform in November 2026, followed by direct bank exchange access in December 2026 [1]. Sberbank is preparing consumer offerings for Dec. 1, 2026, across existing retail applications, testing trades in $BTC, $ETH, and $USDT [1]. ## Retail Caps and Market Deadlines Under central bank guidelines, non-qualified retail investors face a statutory limit of 300,000 roubles—approximately $3,800—per year across any single intermediary, subject to passing an assessment test [1]. Qualified investors face no purchase volume constraints [1]. Domestic retail payments in cryptocurrency remain prohibited, though cross-border settlements for corporate import-export operations are permitted without transaction caps [1]. Sberbank previously deployed wallet-to-wallet corporate trade settlement services on Sept. 1, 2026, carrying an average fee of 0.3% [1]. T-Technologies, the parent company of T-Bank, entered the system through its depository unit Atomyze and exchange affiliate T-Invest Lab, while MTS Bank intends to launch baseline services in the fourth quarter of 2026 [1]. Licensed intermediaries have until Sept. 1, 2027, to achieve comprehensive compliance with statutory mandates [1]. Beginning July 1, 2027, Russian authorities will prohibit trading through unregistered platforms, terminating unregulated peer-to-peer crypto transactions routed through domestic bank accounts [1]. ## FAQ **What are the investment limits for retail crypto traders in Russia?** Non-qualified retail investors may purchase up to 300,000 roubles (around $3,800) in liquid cryptocurrencies per year through any single intermediary, provided they pass a mandatory test. Qualified investors face no volume cap. **Can Russian residents use cryptocurrency for local purchases?** No. Using cryptocurrency to pay for domestic goods and services remains strictly illegal under Russian law, although cross-border payments for foreign trade settlements are permitted. **When does peer-to-peer crypto trading face domestic enforcement?** From July 1, 2027, Russian residents will legally be permitted to trade cryptocurrencies only through state-registered intermediaries, eliminating unregulated domestic peer-to-peer trading. ## Sources 1. [Bank of Russia clears 17 crypto exchangers as Sberbank and VTB ready retail trading](https://www.dlnews.com/articles/regulation/bank-of-russia-clears-crypto-exchangers-sberbank-and-vtb/) — dlnews.com, 2026-10-22 --- Basis Desk Newsroom · AI-generated, source-verified · https://basisdesk.news/about/how-we-use-ai