In a world where goods cross borders in days, but money takes weeks, the speed of settlements has long been a hidden drag on transactions. Alexander Vedyakhin, First Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of Sber, pointed this out directly in a column on SberPro: as of September 1, 2026, Russian companies have a legal way to pay for exports and imports with cryptocurrency, and this is not a replacement for banks, but an additional channel.
According to Vedyakhin, when choosing a partner, it is now important to consider not only the quality of the goods and logistics, but also how quickly the money will go through. Traditional transfers are often delayed, forcing parties to negotiate payment terms as early as the initial discussion stage. Blockchain, however, completes a transaction in minutes—and this directly impacts the economy: funds arrive sooner, shipment begins faster, and turnover accelerates.
However, speed also brings new challenges. Vedyakhin emphasizes volatility: while a crypto payment is in transit from the moment the price is fixed until execution, the exchange rate can change, and the entire deal may lose its point. This is the same risk as an open currency position, just in a digital wrapper. Companies will have to either use stablecoins or hedge in advance—otherwise, the benefits of speed will be eaten up by fluctuations.
At the same time, digital assets do not eliminate currency control or the vetting of counterparties. Sber positions crypto as a tool for cases where traditional routes are too expensive or slow, especially under conditions of sanctions and restrictions. For small and medium-sized businesses, this could mean access to markets where traditional banks refuse service or charge high fees.
Financial inclusion here manifests not in retail wallets, but in the ability for companies without an ideal banking history to conduct cross-border operations. Just as water finds a path through cracks in a rock, capital seeks bypass channels when the main ones are blocked. Banks like Sber, by including this instrument, are adapting to a reality where speed and accessibility are becoming a competitive advantage.
Ultimately, the new mechanism changes not only the technique of settlements but also how businesses assess risks and plan deals—from choosing a partner to hedging volatility.
