Share this article
Sberbank issues Russia's first crypto-backed loan to bitcoin miner Intelion Data
Sberbank used its in-house crypto custody tool to back a loan for mining firm Intelion Data, signaling broader interest in crypto lending.
Dec 29, 2025, 11:51 a.m.
Make us preferred on Google
What to know:
- Sberbank issued Russia's first bitcoin-backed loan to a major bitcoin miner, marking a pilot transaction with potential for future expansion.
- The loan utilized Sberbank's crypto custody product, Rutoken, to secure the bitcoin collateral, ensuring asset safety.
- Sberbank is exploring decentralized finance instruments and supports the gradual legalization of cryptocurrencies in Russia.
Sberbank, Russia’s second-largest bank, issued the country's first bitcoin-backed loan to one of its largest bitcoin miners, calling the transaction a pilot and suggesting it was keen to issue more in the future
“We believe this product will be relevant not only for cryptocurrency miners, but also for companies that own cryptocurrencies,” the bank said in a statement. It did not disclose the loan amount.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW
Don't miss another story.Subscribe to the Crypto Daybook Americas Newsletter today. See all newsletters
The bank said it used its own crypto custody product, Rutoken, to hold the bitcoin used as collateral for the crypto loan. “The loan was secured by digital currency mined by [Intelion Data]. This guarantees the assets’ safety during the loan period,” Sberbank said.
According to RBC Crypto, IntelionData CEO Timofey Semenov said the loan is an important practical example for the industry and an indicator that the market is reaching a new level, which, if proven effective, could be scaled up and used in the Russian mining industry.
Anatoly Popov, Sberbank's deputy chairman, said the bank already offers clients structured bonds and digital financial assets with investments in bitcoin, ether and cryptocurrency baskets, the Russian news outlet added. Popov also said the bank is currently testing decentralized finance (DeFi) instruments and supports the gradual legalization of cryptocurrencies within the Russian legal framework.
More For You
KuCoin captured a record share of centralised exchange volume in 2025, with more than $1.25tn traded as its volumes grew faster than the wider crypto market.
What to know:
- KuCoin recorded over $1.25 trillion in total trading volume in 2025, equivalent to an average of roughly $114 billion per month, marking its strongest year on record.
- This performance translated into an all-time high share of centralised exchange volume, as KuCoin’s activity expanded faster than aggregate CEX volumes, which slowed during periods of lower market volatility.
- Spot and derivatives volumes were evenly split, each exceeding $500 billion for the year, signalling broad-based usage rather than reliance on a single product line.
- Altcoins accounted for the majority of trading activity, reinforcing KuCoin’s role as a primary liquidity venue beyond BTC and ETH at a time when majors saw more muted turnover.
- Even as overall crypto volumes softened mid-year, KuCoin maintained elevated baseline activity, indicating structurally higher user engagement rather than short-lived volume spikes.
More For You
One of the oldest NFT trading platform which facilitated over $300 million in sales at its peak shuts down
The platform, Nifty Gateway, which once facilitated over $300 million in sales, had shifted its focus to building onchain creative projects in 2024, but will now close.
What to know:
- Nifty Gateway, an NFT platform, will shut down on February 23, 2026, and has entered withdrawal-only mode, allowing users one month to move their NFTs and funds.
- The platform, which once facilitated over $300 million in sales, had shifted its focus to building onchain creative projects in 2024, but will now close.
- The shutdown will allow parent company Gemini to focus on building a "one-stop super app" and will continue to support NFTs through its Gemini Wallet.
Top Stories
