Sberbank, Russia’s biggest bank, says it’s testing a range of DeFi products as its clients show a greater keenness to trade and hold crypto. Speaking to the Russian media outlet RBC, Anatoly Popov, the deputy chair of Sberbank’s management board, said the firm will “develop digital asset offerings in collaboration with regulators.” “Sberbank is already testing various DeFi products,” Popov said. “We are confident that traditional banking and DeFi will soon converge.” Popov did not specify any DeFi prot ...

Core Insights - Russia has surpassed all European markets in cryptocurrency adoption, recording $376.3 billion in received transactions from July 2024 to June 2025, significantly outpacing the United Kingdom's $273.2 billion [1] - The Chainalysis 2025 Geography of Crypto Report highlights a dramatic shift in regional crypto dynamics, with Russia deepening its participation in decentralized finance (DeFi) and large-scale institutional transfers [1][2] Growth Factors - The growth in Russia's crypto market is attributed to institutional adoption, rapid expansion of DeFi usage, and increased reliance on stablecoins for cross-border transactions [2] - Large-scale crypto transfers exceeding $10 million in Russia surged by 86% between mid-2024 and mid-2025, compared to a 44% growth in the rest of Europe [3] DeFi and Stablecoin Impact - DeFi activity in Russia rose eightfold in early 2025, stabilizing at three and a half times higher than the mid-2023 baseline [3] - The ruble-pegged stablecoin A7A5 has facilitated cross-border payments for businesses and institutions, becoming the world's largest non-U.S. dollar stablecoin by market capitalization, reaching $500 million in early October [4] Regulatory Context - The stablecoin A7A5 plays a central role in Russia's crypto-driven trade settlement strategy, despite concerns from the European Union and U.S. Treasury regarding its potential use for sanction evasion [5] - Russia's crypto market expansion occurs amid intensifying sanctions and regulatory scrutiny, with the central bank planning to launch the digital ruble nationwide on September 1, 2026 [6]