Overview
- Bank officials say trials are underway with a small group of high‑net‑worth customers.
- Access will be limited to qualified investors meeting portfolio or income thresholds, and broad retail availability is unlikely.
- VTB would be the first major Russian bank to offer spot cryptocurrency trading, targeting a launch in 2026.
- The plan aligns with signals from senior central bank figures that banks may operate in crypto markets under regulated conditions.
- Coverage cites rising Russian use of digital assets for payments and some oil trade with China and India, as VTB points to client demand and global peers like Standard Chartered, Santander, BBVA, and DBS.