PANews reported on December 4th that, according to Cryptopolitan, VTB, Russia's second-largest bank, plans to allow investors to buy and sell cryptocurrencies through its brokerage accounts. The head of the bank's brokerage services department announced this at an international investment conference in Moscow this week. Currently, VTB is offering clients opportunities to invest in cryptocurrency derivatives and plans to offer direct investment in digital assets next year.

VTB plans to launch its cryptocurrency trading service as soon as it receives regulatory approval. Russian financial regulators have hinted that this move is likely to happen within the next few months. At that time, VTB's clients will be able to directly buy, hold, and sell crypto assets such as Bitcoin in personal investment accounts or regular brokerage accounts.