Russia's second-largest bank, VTB, has made a major move that has sent a heavy bombshell into the entire crypto market.

According to official announcements, VTB plans to officially launch direct crypto trading services in 2026. This is not derivatives trading, but a complete experience where clients can buy and sell Bitcoin through brokerage accounts. How important is this shift? Think about it—traditional banks have completely avoided digital assets, and now they are directly providing trading channels for clients. This represents a fundamental recognition within the system.

The regulatory changes are even more significant. What was the previous stance of the Central Bank of Russia? A complete ban. And now? It has shifted to a fully compliant framework. They have even provided a timetable—completing relevant legislation by July 2026. The Moscow Exchange has already begun integrating clearing technology. This is not a test; it is a clear institutional design.

However, the entry barriers are also clear. The first phase of access is limited to "super qualified investors" with assets exceeding $130 million, while ordinary retail investors are restricted to a trading limit of 300,000 rubles per year. This shows that policymakers have found a balance between risk management and market development.

From a broader perspective, the US has opened the door to traditional finance through ETFs, and now Russia is continuing this trend by directly entering the banking system. Different financial systems around the world, under different geopolitical backgrounds, are simultaneously making decisions to include Bitcoin in asset allocations. This is no longer an isolated move by a single country but a structural transformation. The era of banks starting to sell Bitcoin has truly arrived.