Russia's Sberbank Amasses Chinese Yuan as Demand Surges

Russia’s Sberbank is increasingly focusing on the Chinese Yuan as Western sanctions reshape the Russian financial landscape. Demand for the yuan among Russian companies has increased in recent months, as Western sanctions against Moscow limit their access to dollar and euro markets. Russia's largest lender, Sberbank, on Tuesday said it had started lending in Chinese yuan, as Moscow looks to develop its financial infrastructure in countries that have not imposed sanctions.

Russia's Sberbank (OTC:AKSJF) has started to lend in Chinese yuan as Moscow seeks to bolster its financial system in countries that haven't forced sanctions on it. 6 de sept. de 2025 saw Sberbank moving further into Yuan lending and asset holding.

Russia’s Sberbank CEO, German Gref, said that demand for the Chinese Yuan is increasing within the country. He further added that the bank has occasionally used central bank currency swaps providing liquidity. Demand for the yuan is growing in Russia, the CEO of Sberbank said on Friday, adding that the lender has made use of central bank currency swaps. This shift reflects a broader trend of de-dollarization within the Russian economy as it navigates the complexities of international finance under sanctions. Sberbank's actions are a significant indicator of the growing importance of the Yuan in the Russian market.