Will VTB enter the Russian crypto market as a licensed player by the end of 2026?

VTB, one of Russia’s largest banks, is preparing to enter the crypto market by obtaining an official license once the Central Bank introduces its new regulatory framework in 2026. Regulators — the Bank of Russia and the Ministry of Finance — are shifting away from the overly restrictive “super-qualified investor” model and are now discussing a more flexible access system for crypto operations. According to VTB’s brokerage head Andrey Yatskov, the bank already has the infrastructure and client base to integrate crypto into its brokerage services, reflecting steady (though not mass) demand from customers. Currently, clients only have access to futures and structured products on Bitcoin and Ethereum, but full crypto trading is expected to become possible once the new rules are introduced.