Alfa-Bank Begins Testing Crypto Trading Ahead of Russia’s New Digital Asset Rules

Russia’s largest private bank, Alfa-Bank, has started testing cryptocurrency trading for a small group of qualified investors, according to a report from Russian outlet RBC.

Testing Runs Through Alfa-Investments App

The trial is taking place inside the bank’s Alfa Investments brokerage app. Investors in the test group can trade several major coins, including Bitcoin, Ether, Solana, Litecoin, Tether’s USDt, USDC and Zcash. Alfa Bank has not said when or if the service will open to everyday retail clients, though a fourth quarter 2026 launch has been floated, pending new crypto rules from Russian regulators.

Bank Plans to Build Its Own Crypto Custodian

Dmitry Vitman, who leads corporate and investment banking at Alfa-Bank, said the bank intends to set up a “digital depository” a custody service for storing and managing crypto assets. The plan is to use it for Alfa-Bank’s own products first, then offer the service to other firms.

Alfa Bank joins Sber, VTB and T Bank in preparing crypto offerings as lawmakers advance digital asset legislation. A bill called “On Digital Currency and Digital Rights” cleared its first Duma reading in April 2026. Anatoly Aksakov, who chairs the Duma’s Financial Market Committee, said this week that amendments are ready for a second reading.