Central Bank is discussing introduction of digital ruble with banks as of mid-2026 – media
MOSCOW. April 2 (Interfax) – The full-scale implementation of the digital ruble may begin in mid-2026, and the Central Bank is discussing the deadline with the largest banks, senior managers of four major players, both banks and vendors, Frank Media said.
The digital ruble is the third form of the Russian national currency, which the Bank of Russia plans to issue in addition to the existing forms of money (cash and non-cash). Since August 15, 2023, the Central Bank has been conducting a pilot with real digital rubles. The mass launch of the digital ruble was supposed to begin on July 1, 2025, though Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina said at the end of February that the full-scale implementation would begin later, the regulator would announce the exact dates later.
Frank Media sources indicate that the regulator’s decision was influenced by many reasons, it is impossible to single out any one. The safety of using digital currencies is associated with the issue of energy security, one of them noted. Discussion of possible problems during power outages also influenced the launch date, one of the state bankers confirmed. Another source indicated that there are questions about how banks work with databases in automated banking systems (ABS). Not everyone has successfully attempted to migrate from Oracle solutions, he explained.
The Central Bank’s press service has not confirmed to Frank Media postponing the launch to 2026, but did not deny it either. “The date has not yet been determined. We will announce it later, after discussing with banks the most attractive economic model for their clients,” the regulator responded.
Alla Bakina, head of the Central Bank’s payment system department, on April 1 said that the number of individuals participating in the digital ruble pilot had grown from 500 at the start of the pilot in 2023 to 2,000 people and that the number of legal entities to 50 companies, and the connection of another 70 is planned in the near future. The number of transfers of individuals on the platform exceeded 55,000 transactions, around 15,000 payments for goods and services were made, and more than 12,000 smart contracts were executed.