VTB Bank, Russia's second-largest bank, plans to launch cryptocurrency trading services in 2026.

According to Cryptopolitan, VTB Bank, Russia's second-largest bank, plans to allow investors to buy and sell cryptocurrencies through brokerage accounts, according to Odaily Planet Daily. The bank currently offers cryptocurrency derivatives investment services and plans to offer direct investment in digital assets next year.

Andrey Yatskov, head of brokerage services at VTB Bank, announced at an investment conference in Moscow that clients will be able to directly buy, sell, and hold decentralized digital currencies such as Bitcoin in their personal investment accounts or brokerage accounts. Currently, Russia only allows "highly qualified" investors to invest in cryptocurrencies under an experimental legal framework, requiring at least 100 million rubles in traditional investments and an annual income of 50 million rubles.