Russia Registers First Batch of Crypto Exchanges and Custodians, Sberbank Plans to Launch Products on December 1

Odaily News: Russia has registered its first batch of cryptocurrency exchange operators and digital asset custodians under new regulations that took effect on September 1. The Bank of Russia has published the list of the first authorized operators, including 4 exchange operators and 5 custodians.Sberbank, Russia's largest bank, has been included in the custodian list alongside Atomyze, Voltari, and Cloud Infrastructure. Sberbank stated that it has applied for digital asset custodian status and plans to launch its first crypto products on December 1 through the SberBank Online, SberInvestments, and SberBusiness platforms, initially supporting Bitcoin (BTC), Ether (ETH), and USDt (USDT).T-Invest Lab, Zefir, and Sistema-Crypto were included in the exchange operator list, while VTB Bank appears on both lists. The registrations are based on a cryptocurrency bill signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in August, which brings exchanges, custodians, brokers, and investors under the supervision of the Bank of Russia, and maintains the prohibition on using cryptocurrency to pay for goods and services. (Cointelegraph)