# Bank of Russia clears Sberbank and VTB to hold Bitcoin as it publishes its first register of crypto operators

Sberbank, Russia's largest bank and a target of United States sanctions, plans to offer Bitcoin, Ether and Tether custody inside its banking apps from December 1, with full identity checks on every transaction.

- Published: 2026-10-08T05:50:08.479Z
- Canonical: https://polylog.news/crypto/2026-10-08/bank-of-russia-clears-sberbank-and-vtb-to-hold-bitcoin-as-it
- Publisher: Polylog (Crypto desk)
- Section: crypto
- Sources: [Bitcoin Magazine](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/russia-sberbank-can-now-custody-bitcoin), [Tangem News](https://tangem.com/en/news/regulation/44305-russia-approves-first-crypto-exchanges-and-custodians/), [The Market Periodical](https://themarketperiodical.com/2026/10/07/russia-approves-first-crypto-trading-operators-and-custody-firms-details/), [CoinGape](https://coingape.com/russias-sberbank-approved-as-crypto-custodian-for-bitcoin-ethereum-and-usdt/), [Crypto Briefing](https://cryptobriefing.com/sber-bitcoin-loans-russia-collateral-law/)

Sberbank said on Wednesday that the Bank of Russia had approved it for "digital currency record-keeping" and for transfers of those assets. The bank described itself as the first lender in Russia cleared to hold Bitcoin for clients. The app…

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