PANews June 20 news, according to Bitcoin.com, Anatoly Aksakov, chairman of the Financial Market Committee of the State Duma of Russia, stated on June 18 that the large-scale application of the digital ruble is now scheduled for 2026. The original launch plan after July 1, 2025, has been postponed due to financial institutions needing more time to improve infrastructure. Since the pilot program started in August 2023, it has expanded to 15 banks, about 2,000 individuals, and 50 enterprises, processing over 55,000 personal transfers and 15,000 commodity payments. The Central Bank of Russia emphasizes that the adoption of the digital ruble is entirely voluntary and will not eliminate cash or non-cash payment forms.