Sberbank Officially Launches Crypto-Backed Loans

Sberbank Officially Launches Crypto-Backed Loans

<p class="text-left mb-4 ">Russia's largest bank, Sberbank, is preparing to officially launch loans to companies using cryptocurrency assets as collateral. In a <a href="https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/russias-sberbank-plans-crypto-backed-loans-corporate-clients-2026-02-05/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="text-primary underline">statement </a>to Reuters, the bank announced that it is developing this product and aims to serve cryptocurrency mining companies and other institutional clients holding digital assets.</p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">From pilot success to commercial product</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">In fact, the foundations for Sberbank's move were laid last year. In a pilot transaction conducted with mining company AO Intelion Data in December 2025, the bank provided loans with <a href="https://jrkripto.com/tr/analytics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="text-primary underline">cryptocurrency </a>collateral for the first time. Intelion Data provided its own digital currency as collateral, while Sberbank secured the collateral using its own blockchain infrastructure and Rutoken hardware solution. Anatoly Popov, Sberbank's deputy chairman of the board, stated that this pilot application tested digital collateral mechanisms and would shape future regulations.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The bank emphasized its readiness to cooperate with the central bank in developing the regulatory framework. Sberbank's move parallels similar products being explored by global financial institutions such as JPMorgan and Wells Fargo. </p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">Second in the competition, but strong</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">In Russia, the first step in the field of crypto-backed loans was taken by rival Sovkombank. However, Sberbank's entry into this market is significant because, as the central institution of the country's financial system, Sberbank's decisions are trendsetting.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Sberbank's crypto initiative is an extension of its years-long strategy to build digital asset infrastructure. The bank, which announced in 2020 that it would create a digital financial assets platform, received approval from the central bank as a DFA (Digital Financial Assets) issuer in March 2022.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Today, this platform is showing tremendous growth. According to Sberbank's announcement on February 2, the total value of digital financial assets issued on the platform reached 408 billion rubles ($5.3 billion) in 2025. This figure is 5.6 times the 73 billion rubles ($948 million) in 2024 and 204 times the 2 billion rubles in 2023.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">In early February, Sberbank announced that only 231 billion rubles ($3 billion) of new DFAs would be issued in January 2026, an amount comparable to the previous year's six-month period. The volume of digital assets held on the platform increased sevenfold in six months, rising from 25 billion rubles to 185 billion rubles ($2.4 billion). </p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">Regulatory roadmap</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The Central Bank of Russia currently defines cryptocurrencies as foreign trade assets, allowing for their purchase and sale while prohibiting their use in domestic payments. The regulator has set July 1, 2026, as the deadline for finalizing a more comprehensive legal framework for crypto assets.</p>

6 Feb 2026
China Delivers New Blow to Crypto: Decisions Announced

China Delivers New Blow to Crypto: Decisions Announced

<p class="text-left mb-4 ">China has once again clarified its tough stance on the <a href="https://jrkripto.com/tr/analytics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="text-primary underline">cryptocurrency</a> ecosystem. New regulations announced on February 6, 2026, completely ban internet companies from offering any crypto-related services, while also comprehensively targeting the issuance of unverified stablecoins and the tokenization of real-world assets (RWA). This move by Beijing stands out as one of the broadest steps in its gradually tightening anti-crypto policy in recent years. </p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">Ban on Internet Companies</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The new framework directly covers not only financial institutions but also technology and internet companies that form the backbone of the digital economy. Texts published by the People's Bank of China and related regulatory bodies explicitly prohibit internet companies from offering crypto wallets, facilitating crypto payments, or otherwise enabling crypto trading. This directly targets a broad technology ecosystem, including giant platforms like Alibaba, Ant Group, and Tencent. Authorities defend these bans on the grounds of protecting financial stability and preventing illicit capital movements. However, the prevailing view in the market is that the main motivation is the state's desire to maintain absolute control over monetary policy. Especially as the digital yuan (e-CNY) project progresses, it appears that no space is left for any digital currency or token structure originating from the private sector. Another critical pillar of regulation is stablecoins. The Chinese government has directly banned the issuance of yuan-referenced stablecoins without official approval. While stablecoins are becoming increasingly accepted globally for cross-border payments and digital finance infrastructures, Beijing positions these tools as a potential threat to financial sovereignty. This approach also reveals how low China's tolerance is for the emergence of an alternative digital payment ecosystem. </p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">Comprehensive ban on RWAs</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Perhaps the most striking decision was the comprehensive ban on the tokenization of real-world assets. RWA models, which refer to the conversion of real estate, commodities, or financial securities into tokens on the blockchain, are completely banned within China's borders. For RWA platforms operating abroad, the condition is that they can only operate with official approval and under strict supervision. A joint statement by seven major financial associations in China highlighted the dangers of RWA tokenization, including the risk of counterfeit assets, transparency issues, and excessive speculation. These steps also reiterate the fact that cryptocurrency trading remains illegal in the country. General bans initiated in 2021 were intensified throughout 2025, and this final move in 2026 indicates the complete closure of even indirect access channels through internet companies. The official statement reiterates that cryptocurrencies are not legal tender and will not be accepted as a means of payment.</p>

6 Feb 2026
Bitcoin Drop Causes Historic Losses for Strategy

Bitcoin Drop Causes Historic Losses for Strategy

<p class="text-left mb-4 ">On February 5, 2026, Strategy released its fourth-quarter 2025 earnings report, once again highlighting the high risk of its Bitcoin-focused treasury model. The company reported a net loss of $12.4 billion, largely due to the revaluation of its Bitcoin assets relative to market price. Loss per share was $42.93. While software activity slightly exceeded expectations, the overall tone of the report was overshadowed by a sharp market crash. Fourth-quarter software revenue reached $123 million, slightly exceeding market estimates, while subscription revenue increased 62% year-over-year to $51.8 million. However, the sharp sell-off in <a href="https://jrkripto.com/tr/coin/btc" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="text-primary underline">Bitcoin </a>during "Black Thursday," which saw the price fall to $62,353, resulted in a significant paper loss on the company's digital assets. </p><p class="text-left mb-4 "> <figure class="my-6"> <img src="https://minio-api-1.jrkripto.com/blog/btcusdt-2026-02-06-15-05-58-462de9d0.webp" alt="BTCUSDT_2026-02-06_15-05-58.png" width="auto" height="auto" class="w-full rounded-lg border" /> </figure> </p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">This decline also pushed Michael Saylor's massive Bitcoin portfolio, accumulated over the years, into a noticeable "loss" position for the first time. </p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">Strategy Remains the Largest Bitcoin Treasury Company</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">According to data released by the company, as of February 1, 2026, Strategy continues to be the world's largest institutional Bitcoin holder with 713,502 BTC. The total cost of these assets is stated to be $54.3 billion, with an average purchase price of $76,052. In a scenario where Bitcoin trades around $64,400, the market value of the portfolio has fallen to approximately $45.9 billion. This represents an unrealized loss of approximately $8.4 billion. Despite this, the company demonstrated that it did not abandon its aggressive accumulation strategy even during periods of decline by purchasing 41,002 BTC alone in January 2026. The fact that Bitcoin inflows were directed to exchanges such as Binance during the same period indicated that selling pressure and panic perception in the market were strengthening.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">In response to balance sheet concerns, Strategy management points to a strong liquidity buffer. The company slowed down Bitcoin purchases towards the end of 2025, creating a cash reserve of $2.25 billion. CEO Phong Le emphasized that this reserve has the capacity to cover dividends paid on preferred shares and debt interest for over two and a half years, regardless of the Bitcoin price. Furthermore, the fact that a large portion of Bitcoin assets are not pledged as collateral for any loans significantly reduces the risk of forced sales.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">CFO Andrew Kang, evaluating the fourth-quarter results, stated that the loss was primarily due to market valuation and did not indicate an operational disruption. Michael Saylor urged investors not to panic, stating that the company's long-term approach to "digital lending" and Bitcoin accumulation is not shaped by short-term price fluctuations.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The earnings call also addressed security risks stemming from quantum computing. Saylor characterized these concerns as an exaggerated wave of FUD, arguing that it will take at least ten years for quantum computers to reach a level that threatens Bitcoin. He added that Bitcoin's open-source nature allows for quantum-resistant updates to be implemented through global consensus when deemed necessary. In this context, Strategy plans to launch a new Bitcoin Security program aimed at bringing together developers and security experts. In summary, although Strategy has announced one of the hardest quarterly losses in its history, it argues that it can weather this volatile period thanks to its strong cash reserves, flexible debt structure, and long-term Bitcoin vision. While the company's shares remain highly sensitive to the Bitcoin price, the management team believes that this volatility is a natural part of the strategy.</p>

6 Feb 2026
Binance Added $233 Million Worth Of Bitcoin to Its SAFU Fund During The Market Downturn

Binance Added $233 Million Worth Of Bitcoin to Its SAFU Fund During The Market Downturn

<p class="text-left mb-4 ">As volatility continues in the cryptocurrency markets, Binance, the world's largest exchange, has made a noteworthy move. The company added $233 million worth of Bitcoin to its SAFU fund, created to protect its users, viewing the market downturn as a buying opportunity. This strategic step both strengthens the fund and reshapes the concept of reserves in the sector.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Despite the recent decline in Bitcoin prices, Binance, a giant in the cryptocurrency sector, focused on expanding its user protection fund. The company purchased 3,600 Bitcoin, worth $233 million, under its SAFU (Secure Asset Fund for Users) fund. This move brought the fund's total to 6,230 BTC, or approximately $404 million. The purchase is the third largest transaction in the last few days, bringing the total amount close to $430 million.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Binance's statement indicates that these investments are made to protect user assets during extreme market conditions. The fund's composition is also changing: SAFU, which previously held predominantly stablecoins, is now evolving into a Bitcoin-dominant structure.</p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">SAFU transitions from stablecoins to Bitcoin</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">According to the plan announced on January 30th, Binance is converting a portion of the fund from stablecoins to BTC. This aims to create a long-term reserve by taking advantage of price dips. Keeping SAFU separate from the exchange's balance sheet and reporting transparently aims to reaffirm user trust.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The recent purchases indicate the company's "buy the dip" approach. Bitcoin's level around $65,000 (with an 8.43% drop in 24 hours) provided a suitable environment for this move.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Meanwhile, Binance's own coin, BNB Coin (<a href="https://jrkripto.com/tr/coin/bnb" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="text-primary underline">BNB</a>), also took its share of the declines. The cryptocurrency experienced a drop of slightly over 10% in the last 24 hours and fell to $625 as of writing.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 "> <figure class="my-6"> <img src="https://minio-api-1.jrkripto.com/blog/bnbusdt-2026-02-06-12-42-44-573e281f.webp" alt="BNBUSDT_2026-02-06_12-42-44.png" width="auto" height="auto" class="w-full rounded-lg border" /> </figure> </p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">Binance's Recent Moves</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">Binance continues to expand its platform alongside its SAFU investments. In January 2026, it received a global license from ADGM (Abu Dhabi Global Market), providing full operational authority with three licensed units and making Abu Dhabi a digital asset hub. In early January, it launched USDT-based TradFi perpetual contracts, offering 24/7 access to traditional assets such as gold and silver.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">In early February, it topped the CoinMarketCap reserve rankings with $155.6 billion in assets. It also increased its investments in security, compliance, and education as part of its 2026 roadmap; the Binance Junior program provides digital finance education to young people. Despite market volatility (sharp sell-offs have been experienced in Bitcoin, Ether, and BNB since the beginning of 2026), Binance has grown its user base by 14%. As the Bitcoin weighting of SAFU increases, the fund's value becomes more dependent on market fluctuations. While the risk increases in the short term, it provides protection in line with industry trends in the long term. Binance's steps seem to reflect an approach that prioritizes user trust.</p>

6 Feb 2026
Alarm in ETH: Vitalik Buterin Sales on the Agenda

Alarm in ETH: Vitalik Buterin Sales on the Agenda

<p class="text-left mb-4 ">The recent surge in selling pressure on the Ethereum market is centered directly on Vitalik Buterin. Onchain data reveals that Buterin has made significant sales of his Wrapped Ethereum (WETH) positions, further increasing pressure on the already fragile ETH price. According to the Arkham data, Vitalik Buterin transferred WETH via Cow Protocol in recent hours, receiving PYUSD stablecoin in return. The size of these sales, which occurred in just a short period, reached approximately $2.5 million. The transactions, spread throughout the day, suggest that these sales may not be a one-off event, but rather part of a planned and gradual process of reducing positions. Buterin's wallet movements are being monitored in real-time by on-chain analytics platforms, reinforcing the perception of a "founder sell-off" in the market. </p><h2 class="text-left text-foreground text-3xl font-bold mb-3 mt-1">Ethereum price falls.</h2><p class="text-left mb-4 ">These developments coincide with a period when the ETH price has fallen below the $2,000 level. Ethereum's native asset, <a href="https://jrkripto.com/tr/coin/eth" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer" class="text-primary underline">ETH</a>, has lost approximately 60% of its value since August and over 40% since the beginning of the year. While Bitcoin and some large-scale altcoins experienced more limited declines during the same period, ETH's negative divergence is noteworthy.</p><p class="text-left mb-4 "> <figure class="my-6"> <img src="https://minio-api-1.jrkripto.com/blog/ethusdt-2026-02-05-20-33-46-fadb1f4c.webp" alt="ETHUSDT_2026-02-05_20-33-46.png" width="auto" height="auto" class="w-full rounded-lg border" /> </figure> </p><p class="text-left mb-4 ">The selling pressure doesn't appear to be limited to Vitalik Buterin alone. Onchain data shows that tens of thousands of ETH have been released into the market in recent days to pay off loans on the decentralized lending platform Aave. As the price of ETH falls, its collateral value weakens, forcing borrowers to sell more ETH to avoid liquidation risk. Thus, the price drop becomes a feedback loop that triggers further selling. However, Vitalik Buterin's sales have a separate symbolic significance within this picture. While the reduction of positions by founding figures technically creates limited volume, its psychological impact can be much greater. Market participants interpret the selling by an "insider" as a strong signal of weakening risk appetite. On the other hand, the picture isn't bright for ETH on the institutional side either. Companies that emerged in the last year, dubbed the "ETH treasury," added ETH to their balance sheets as a long-term strategic asset. One of the best-known proponents of this approach, Tom Lee, has long maintained an optimistic stance on ETH. However, the sharp price drop has left a significant portion of these companies facing substantial unrealized losses. The general market perception is clear: the buying side for ETH is weak. Sales aren't solely driven by leveraged positions or fear of liquidation; founder sales, unraveling in derivative markets, and long-term investors incurring losses are all at play simultaneously. Ethereum's technical superiority or its leading position in the ecosystem is not being questioned in this process. However, pricing is shaped more by market psychology than fundamental data. Vitalik Buterin's WETH sales have further exacerbated this psychology. While it remains uncertain whether sales will continue, finding a strong short-term recovery narrative for ETH is becoming increasingly difficult. In the current landscape, ETH is acting less like an asset held by strong hands and more like an asset that nobody wants to get their hands on.</p>

5 Feb 2026
Sberbank Officially Launches Crypto-Backed Loans
Sberbank Officially Launches Crypto-Backed Loansabout 7 hours ago
China Delivers New Blow to Crypto: Decisions Announced
China Delivers New Blow to Crypto: Decisions Announcedabout 8 hours ago
Bitcoin Drop Causes Historic Losses for Strategy
Bitcoin Drop Causes Historic Losses for Strategyabout 9 hours ago
Binance Added $233 Million Worth Of Bitcoin to Its SAFU Fund During The Market Downturn
Binance Added $233 Million Worth Of Bitcoin to Its SAFU Fund During The Market Downturnabout 11 hours ago
Alarm in ETH: Vitalik Buterin Sales on the Agenda
Alarm in ETH: Vitalik Buterin Sales on the Agenda1 day ago
Sberbank Officially Launches Crypto-Backed Loans
Sberbank Officially Launches Crypto-Backed Loansabout 7 hours ago
China Delivers New Blow to Crypto: Decisions Announced
China Delivers New Blow to Crypto: Decisions Announcedabout 8 hours ago
Bitcoin Drop Causes Historic Losses for Strategy
Bitcoin Drop Causes Historic Losses for Strategyabout 9 hours ago
Binance Added $233 Million Worth Of Bitcoin to Its SAFU Fund During The Market Downturn
Binance Added $233 Million Worth Of Bitcoin to Its SAFU Fund During The Market Downturnabout 11 hours ago
Alarm in ETH: Vitalik Buterin Sales on the Agenda
Alarm in ETH: Vitalik Buterin Sales on the Agenda1 day ago

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