After successfully completing pilot tests, the Bank of Russia plans to introduce the digital ruble for general usage by July 2025.
Russia’s state-run news agency, TASS, announced that the Bank of Russia could launch its digital currency, the digital ruble, for general usage in July 2025.
In a Federation Council speech, Russia’s central bank governor, Elvira Nabiullina, announced the news, TASS reported. Nabiullina said the country will introduce the digital fiat currency in a “mass implementation” by July if the trial programs go well.
She said the change will be “gradual process.” In April, Nabiullina said that Russia’s CBDC would take five to seven years to establish since “the choice of people and businesses is crucial, and it must be convenient for them.”Â
The History of Russia’s CBDC
The Bank of Russia has piloted the CBDC with local banks from August 2023. Around 600 staff from 12 banks test digital wallet opening and shutting, wallet top-ups, person-to-person transfers, and automated payments and transfers in the initial phase.
Digital rubles are blockchain-based Russian currency. Like all CBDCs, it is a central bank-issued and managed digital money.Â
The Russian government and central bank have been considering and developing a state-issued digital currency, the “crypto ruble,” since 2017.
In an October 2020 consultation paper, the central bank told citizens that the CBDC will supplement cash and non-cash rubles.
In contrast, China, a crucial benchmark for Russia’s digitization initiatives, has started paying Changshu state civil personnel with its CBDC, the digital yuan, to encourage adoption.