Russia's biggest bank, Sberbank, is making a surprising move by diving into the world of crypto and blockchain technology. Despite some resistance from the Russian central bank, Sberbank officials are publicly endorsing these technologies, calling them "the future."
This shift comes with a series of actions by Sberbank. The bank recently launched a blockchain-based exchange-traded fund (ETF) – a first for Russia – and is developing its own DeFi platform. Additionally, they've received a license to issue and trade digital assets.
Sberbank's interest in crypto extends beyond just traditional investment products. Their DeFi platform, expected in May 2023, utilizes the Ethereum network and allows users to participate in decentralized finance (DeFi) – a system that cuts out intermediaries in financial transactions. This move by Sberbank indicates a growing acceptance of crypto and blockchain technology within Russia's financial sector.
While regulations are still being ironed out, Sberbank's leadership seems confident that these technologies hold immense potential for the future.
June 2024, Cryptoniteuae