According to PANews, Russian President Vladimir Putin recently discussed the potential role of national digital currencies in the future of the country. Speaking at the 'Voice of Russia' forum organized by VTB Bank, one of Russia's largest financial institutions, Putin acknowledged expert predictions that the use of digital assets and their associated infrastructure in the financial sector would benefit global growth. As part of this new model, Putin believes the digital ruble, currently in its pilot phase, will play a significant role in the future. He noted that 9,000 citizens and 1,200 companies are participating in this pilot phase. The digital ruble is set to be used for federal budget settlements next year, with a full rollout planned for July.
Putin also linked these digital assets to the upcoming BRICS investment platform, suggesting they will be used as tools for completing multilateral settlements. He emphasized Russia's leading position in financial technology, which enables the country to establish relationships with foreign partners, promote integration projects, and benefit from the convergence of various national economic potentials.
In a related discussion at the same forum, Putin highlighted the characteristics of digital currencies, particularly Bitcoin, in comparison to the US dollar. He pointed out that no one can ban these technologies in their current form and that they will continue to exist and adapt to avoid external restrictions and interventions from third parties.
