Bank Launches Bitcoin-Linked Smart Asset, But With Nuances

The bank has introduced Bitcoin trading with some nuances. A new financial product tied directly to Bitcoin's price is now available in T-Investments, offering investors a way to include cryptocurrencies safely in their portfolios without dealing directly with crypto exchanges or risking access to wallets. This smart asset, only accessible to qualified investors as mandated by the Central Bank of Russia, allows purchasing a digital right to a share of Bitcoin's market value, stored securely by the issuer. The price is set in rubles, based on an aggregate exchange rate including dollar conversion, with a maturity of one month and secondary trading options. Investors can profit from fluctuations in Bitcoin's price as well as currency exchange rate variations, though risks of loss exist if either moves unfavorably. The bank promotes its offering as a safer choice compared to direct exchange trading and offers ruble-based rates for clarity. The question posed is whether investors will take up this offering.