The digital ruble was not created for citizen surveillance. Its purpose is to make settlements more convenient and increase the security of money within the country, stated Senator Artem Sheikin.
According to him, concerns are actively spreading online that the new form of currency will allow monitoring people and their expenses. However, the senator called such an interpretation erroneous.
The digital ruble will become the third form of national currency, alongside cash and non-cash money. It will be stored in special wallets on a unified platform of the Bank of Russia.
From September 1, 2026, major banks must provide clients with the ability to conduct operations with digital rubles. At the same time, familiar payment methods will remain – this is about an additional format, not a complete replacement of cash or bank accounts.
In the future, the digital ruble may be more deeply integrated into the banking system. Closer to 2029, the regulator is considering an experiment with wallets on bank balances, which will allow using the new form of currency for deposits and loans.