The bank announced plans to expand crypto-backed lending to include Bitcoin, Ether and the dollar peg stablecoin USDT.

Conditions for collateral acceptance

Sber’s vice-chair said the expansion depends on one condition: the Central Bank must permit these assets to trade publicly on regulated venues.

Under that scenario, the largest state-controlled lender would accept a dollar-linked stablecoin as ordinary collateral for loans, aligning collateral policy with tradability requirements.

Position on the digital ruble

The bank’s chief financial officer expressed little enthusiasm for the proposed digital ruble, noting a lack of demand from client segments beyond the regulator itself.

«I do not see clear interest in this instrument, except from the Central Bank»

He specified that neither retail customers, nor corporate clients, nor financial organizations have asked for the digital ruble as a payment or investment instrument to date.

Market share forecast

According to the CFO’s forecast, the share of this so‑called third form of money in circulation will be measured in tenths of a percent, implying limited near-term adoption.

The bank’s statements frame potential lending policy changes as conditional on regulatory approval, while demand for a central‑bank digital currency remains minimal among clients.