Bitcoin News: Sberbank Plans BTC, ETH, and USDT-Backed Loans in Russia

Russia’s largest bank, Sberbank, is preparing to expand crypto-backed lending beyond Bitcoin, planning to accept Ethereum and Tether’s USDT as collateral for loans. The move comes as Russia prepares new crypto market rules, but Sberbank’s overall offering still depends on approval from the Bank of Russia.

Sberbank Plans to Add ETH and USDT

Sberbank Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov said the bank plans to accept Bitcoin, Ethereum and USDT as collateral for loans.

“We plan to accept not only Bitcoin but also Ethereum and the stablecoin Tether as collateral.”

However, customers cannot immediately use all three assets as collateral. Popov said Sberbank will add ETH and USDT after the Bank of Russia allows them for public circulation.

The bank plans to adapt its existing products as Russia’s new crypto rules take effect and then gradually expand the assets available for secured lending.

Bitcoin Loan Pilot Already Tested the Model

Sberbank is not starting from scratch. The bank already tested crypto-backed lending with Russian mining company Intelion Data in December 2025.

The pilot involved a corporate loan secured by cryptocurrency mined by Intelion. Sberbank used its custody infrastructure to hold the collateral during the loan period.