Sber will accept USDT and Ether as collateral for loans, joining Bitcoin in its crypto‑backed lending program as Russia’s new crypto law takes effect.

The law signed by President Vladimir Putin on Aug. 4 establishes a regulated crypto market, and the Bank of Russia listed Bitcoin, Ether and USDT for trading on licensed exchanges on Aug. 11, citing market capitalization, trading volume and five years of price history.

Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov said the bank will adapt its existing products and gradually expand its offerings after the central bank permits the assets for public trading, according to a TASS report on Friday. CFO Taras Skvortsov added that the bank sees little evidence of broad demand for the digital ruble, noting that retail, corporate and institutional clients are not actively seeking the CBDC.

The digital ruble rollout is scheduled to begin on Sept. 1, while Sber’s crypto lending expansion will proceed as the regulatory framework matures.