Russia's largest private lender Alfa Bank tests crypto trading, plans suite of crypto services ahead of govt legislation

Russia's largest private lender, Alfa Bank, has begun testing cryptocurrency trading on its brokerage platform with qualified investors, offering tokens including Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, Tether, USDC, and Zcash. The bank plans to launch a broader suite of crypto services, including a digital depository for storing and managing crypto assets, once Russia's crypto and digital assets legislation is enforced, expected by end-2026. Other major Russian banks such as VTB, T-Bank, and Sberbank are also preparing for regulated crypto operations.