Sberbank, Russia’s largest financial institution, is intensifying its focus on blockchain and artificial intelligence as it prepares for a future defined by competition with decentralized finance. According to senior leadership, the bank views the convergence of these technologies as central to its long-term strategy and essential to remaining competitive in a rapidly changing financial landscape.
Alexander Vedyakhin, first deputy chairman of Sberbank’s management board, outlined this strategic direction during a televised interview in Russia. He indicated that the bank considers the integration of AI-driven decision-making with blockchain-based execution systems as a natural evolution of financial services. He described a scenario in which AI could autonomously analyze market conditions, make trading decisions, and rely on blockchain and smart contracts to carry out transactions with greater efficiency and reliability.
Vedyakhin also suggested that decentralized autonomous organizations may eventually appear in the Russian market. He noted that these structures, which operate independently based on pre-programmed rules, could become part of the country’s financial ecosystem as digital technologies mature. He emphasized that Sberbank’s interest in both AI and blockchain stems from a belief that the new economy will increasingly depend on their combined capabilities.
At the same time, he clarified that the bank draws a clear distinction between blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies. He warned that the cryptocurrency sector poses heightened risks due to widespread cybercrime and urged caution when dealing with digital currencies. He argued that private blockchains, which operate within controlled environments among trusted partners, offer stronger security and are better aligned with institutional requirements. This perspective echoes longstanding concerns among regulators and traditional financial institutions about the volatility and security challenges associated with public digital currencies.
Sberbank’s broader strategy reflects its evolution in recent years. Formerly the largest banking institution across Russia and much of Central and Eastern Europe, the bank retreated from several markets following the imposition of Western sanctions linked to the conflict in Ukraine. Since rebranding to Sber in 2020, the organization has accelerated its transition toward digital services and now holds a leading position in Russia’s digital finance sector.
The bank has also expanded its involvement in digital asset markets as Russia gradually opens narrow pathways for regulated crypto-related products. After the Central Bank of Russia authorized crypto derivatives for qualified investors earlier this year, Sberbank became one of the first institutions to offer such instruments. In September, the bank announced a perpetual digital financial asset based on a basket of leading cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, under Russia’s legal framework for digital financial assets.
By October, Sberbank reported significant demand for these products, raising the equivalent of $16 million from the sale of bonds and digital financial assets tied to indices based on major tokens such as BTC, ETH, SOL, TRX, AVAX, and BNB. These offerings demonstrate the bank’s continued experimentation in a sector that remains only partially regulated in Russia.
Currently, Russia’s existing Digital Financial Assets law does not recognize decentralized cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, limiting them to a small experimental legal regime. The Bank of Russia has indicated that a more comprehensive legal framework may be adopted in 2026, potentially legalizing broader crypto investment under strict conditions. Such investments, however, are expected to remain limited to highly qualified investors who meet income and portfolio requirements.
Despite regulatory uncertainty, Sberbank appears committed to expanding its digital footprint. Its emphasis on combining AI and blockchain signals a strategic orientation toward automated, programmable, and highly secure financial systems—an approach it believes will define the next era of competitive finance.
