Sberbank is forming a new development strategy around blockchain and artificial intelligence. The bank’s management believes that it is the combination of these technologies that will become the foundation of the financial industry in the coming years and will define competition with decentralized structures.
Focus on two key directions
Sber — the largest bank in Russia by assets — is actively developing blockchain technologies, considering them the basis of the future financial infrastructure. This was stated by the first deputy chairman of the bank’s board, Alexander Vedyakhin, in an interview with Russian television.
He is confident that the combination of blockchain and AI will change the principles of the modern market. According to him, a system in which artificial intelligence makes decisions about buying and selling assets, and blockchain and smart contracts ensure the execution of deals, will become the standard for the new financial sector.
Competition with DAOs on the horizon
Vedyakhin notes that in the coming years, decentralized autonomous organizations may appear on the Russian market. DAOs have long been part of the global financial ecosystem, and Sber expects a similar process in Russia.
He emphasizes that such structures operate autonomously, and therefore may become new competitors to traditional financial institutions. That is why the bank seeks to strengthen its positions in areas that will become key for the ‘new economy’ in advance.
Blockchain yes, cryptocurrencies — with caution
At the same time, Sberbank clearly separates blockchain technologies and cryptocurrencies. Vedyakhin emphasizes: digital assets require increased attention due to the large number of cybercrimes associated with this sector.
According to the top manager, private blockchains provide a higher level of security, since they operate within companies and with trusted partners. This approach corresponds to Sber’s current policy, which is actively developing infrastructure on closed chains.
Leader in digital finance in Russia
Sberbank, which underwent a large-scale transformation under the ‘Sber’ brand in 2020, has become one of the leaders in the digitalization of finance in the country.
Before the introduction of sanctions, the bank held leading positions not only in Russia, but also in many Eastern European countries. Now Sber is focused on the domestic market and is developing new products, including services related to digital assets.
In the spring, the bank became one of the first to offer futures on digital assets — after the regulator allowed their sale to qualified investors. In September, Sber introduced a new digital financial asset backed by a basket of bitcoin and ether, which became one of the first similar products on the Russian market.
The DFA market in Russia is growing
In the fall, interest in Sber’s instruments increased significantly. The bank reported high demand for digital assets focused on BTC and ETH, as well as for instruments based on SOL, TRX, AVAX, and BNB. The total amount raised reached 1.3 billion rubles — about 16 million dollars.
These instruments are still within a regulated environment, while full-fledged cryptocurrency legislation remains under development. The current law ‘On Digital Financial Assets’ does not cover decentralized currencies, and operations with them are possible only within limited experiments.
The Bank of Russia expects a separate law on cryptocurrencies to appear in 2026. However, access to such instruments is expected to remain limited and will be provided only to qualified investors.
What’s next?
Sber continues to form an ecosystem focused on the development of blockchain and artificial intelligence. This strategy strengthens the bank’s position amid the transformation of the financial system and growing competition from new technological structures.
In the coming years, the market will shift towards models based on automation, smart contracts, and alternatives to traditional financial products — and Sber clearly intends to be among the first players in this new architecture.
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