Sberbank, Russia's largest lender, has secured the Bank of Russia's approval to trade cryptocurrencies ahead of a planned December launch. Sberbank previously said crypto products supporting Bitcoin, Ether and Tether's USDt would launch on Dec. 1, 2026. Vedomosti reported that Sberbank has begun testing crypto transactions through SberBank Online. Sberbank said the final launch timeline depends on additional central bank regulations. Russia still prohibits cryptocurrency payments for goods and services.