Sberbank, Russia's second-largest bank, has issued the country's first Bitcoin-backed loan to Intelion Data, a significant development in the Russian crypto landscape. The loan utilizes Sberbank's Rutoken custody product to secure the Bitcoin collateral, highlighting the bank's innovative approach to integrating cryptocurrency into traditional finance. This move is part of Sberbank's broader strategy to explore decentralized finance (DeFi) tools and support the legalization of cryptocurrencies in Russia. Intelion Data's CEO, Timofey Semenov, described the loan as a milestone for the industry, while Sberbank's Anatoly Popov emphasized the bank's ongoing commitment to crypto-linked financial products, including structured bonds.