Russia to Introduce Digital Ruble System by 2026 ā Pilot Testing Expands Across Country
Russia has moved up its plans for launching a nationwide digital ruble payment network. As shared by Anna Katamadze, the Deputy Head of the Bank of Russia, the new system is now expected to go live in early 2026, which is ahead of the previously expected 2027 rollout.
The digital ruble is a central bank digital currency (CBDC)āa new type of money that will be issued and controlled directly by Russiaās central bank. Once launched, the public will be able to access and use the digital ruble through an official mobile app and wallet service managed by the Bank of Russia.
As part of testing, the project is already being trialed with over a dozen banks, more than 1,600 participants, and around 25 companies from various sectors. These groups are helping to test how the digital currency works for everyday payments like shopping, business deals, and government transactions.
Back in March, there was a delay in the launch schedule, but Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina explained that the delay wasnāt because of any problems with the system itself. The pilot is still progressing smoothly, and feedback from current users is helping to improve the platform.
In the near future, the Russian government also plans to link the digital ruble with public budgets and social support programs. This means things like government subsidies and welfare payments could be sent directly to peopleās digital wallets. Doing this will make the flow of government money more transparent and easier to track, helping to prevent fraud or misuse.
Overall, this move puts Russia among the growing number of countries adopting digital currencies, with the aim to modernize its financial system, increase security, and give its citizens easier access to state-backed digital payments.