🇷🇺 VTB Bank, Russia's second-largest financial institution with over $410 billion in assets, has announced plans to offer direct #Bitcoin and #Ethereum trading through its brokerage accounts starting in 2026.
This makes VTB the first major Russian bank to move from crypto derivatives to actual spot trading, allowing clients to own real cryptocurrency.
Key Details:
→ Service limited to qualified investors with $1.3M+ portfolio or $650K+ annual income
→ Testing already underway with select wealthy clients
→ Awaiting final regulatory approval from Bank of Russia
→ Direct ownership through standard brokerage accounts
Why This Matters:
Russia legalized crypto mining in 2024 and now allows crypto for international payments under a special trial program. About 20 million Russians already use cryptocurrency in some form.
VTB joins global banks like Standard Chartered, BBVA, and Santander that now offer direct crypto trading services.
Traditional finance continues merging with crypto. When major state-backed banks enter the space, it signals growing institutional confidence in digital assets as a legitimate asset class.
This is not retail access yet, but it opens the door for broader adoption down the line.
This is not financial advice. Always do your own research.
