Russian Banks Baulk at Digital Ruble Implementation Costs

Russian banks, particularly smaller ones, are unhappy about the high cost (between $1.25 million and $2 million) of integrating with the central bank’s digital ruble platform. This cost is seen as prohibitive for many banks, exceeding their IT budgets. The central bank has mandated different deadlines for various bank categories to offer digital ruble services, … Read more

Digital Ruble and Sanctions: Expert Analyzes Russia’s Digital Currency Plan to Evade Western Control

A Fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and former adviser at the Central Bank of Russia has weighed in on the digital ruble, Russia’s central bank digital currency (CBDC), highlighting its potential role in reshaping Russia’s financial landscape amid sanctions. While the digital currency could offer new avenues for trade and reduce reliance on … Read more

Bank of Russia Claims Digital Ruble Issuance Won’t Cause Inflation

The Bank of Russia has explained that the launch of the digital ruble, the Russian CBDC, will not affect the state’s mechanisms to control inflation or the amount of money issued. The institution clarified that the new currency does not pose risks to the country’s financial stability, and will not change the functions of the … Read more

Bank of Russia to Launch Digital Ruble Payment Infrastructure by July 2025

The Bank of Russia aims to open the payment infrastructure for the Russian central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital ruble, by July next year. Larger banks will offer digital ruble accounts and services by this deadline, with smaller institutions following later. The initiative seeks to enhance payment efficiency and reduce costs, with retailers also … Read more

Russia Expands Digital Ruble Pilot With New Features: Widespread Use Expected in 2025

Russia’s central bank is expanding its digital currency pilot program, involving 9,000 individuals and 1,200 companies. New features for the digital ruble, including payments via QR code, will be tested. Full-scale implementation is expected by late 2025. According to officials, demand for the digital ruble is growing, with successful integration anticipated due to ongoing sanctions. … Read more

Sberbank to Join Russia’s Crypto Settlement Pilot This Fall, Executive Reveals

Sberbank, Russia’s largest financial institution, plans to join a cryptocurrency settlement pilot program this fall. The bank also aims to serve clients using digital rubles by 2025. Deputy Chairman Anatoly Popov supports regulatory efforts to legitimize cryptocurrencies for international payments and mining. He highlighted cryptocurrencies as effective payment methods, especially for small businesses, amid global … Read more

State Duma Financial Market Committee Leader Envisions Bitcoin and Digital Ruble Exchanges

Anatoly Aksakov, chairman of the Financial Market Committee of the State Duma, the Russian equivalent to the U.S. House of Representatives, has predicted that bitcoin and digital ruble exchanges will become a reality in the coming years. Aksakov also foresees the need for digital ruble-based P2P markets to serve this goal in the future. Russians … Read more

Bank of Russia Expects Wide Adoption of Digital Ruble Within 5 to 7 Years

Elvira Nabiullina, the governor of the Bank of Russia, declared that she expects the digital ruble, the Russian CBDC, to achieve a high level of acceptance due to the benefits it offers to Russian citizens. During a speech at the Federation Council, Nabiullina stated that it would be widely adopted within five to seven years. … Read more

Cross-Border Digital Ruble Payments May Become a Reality in 2026

Generalized international settlements using the Russian digital ruble will not be available until 2026, according to statements from Anatoly Aksakov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market. Aksakov stated that in 2025, authorities plan to expand the current pilot stage to implement these transactions within Russia. Subsequently, they will generalize and test … Read more

Putin Calls to ‘Seize the Moment’ to Kickstart Digital Ruble and Crypto Adoption In Russia

President Vladimir Putin declared it was time for Russia to create the environment needed to increase the adoption of digital assets and the Russian CBDC, the digital ruble, as part of the country’s economic tissue. He also reported that over 30,000 transactions have been made in the pilot test phase of the digital ruble, with … Read more