On September 1, the mass launch of the digital ruble began in Russia – the third form of the national currency alongside cash and non-cash. Citizens can open wallets, make transfers, and pay in stores.
A digital wallet can be opened in the applications of 12 major banks, including Sberbank, VTB, Gazprombank, and T-Bank – accounting for over 80% of the payment market. Accounts can be topped up with up to 300,000 rubles per month. All payments and transfers are free for citizens. For businesses, a grace period is in effect until the end of the year, and from 2027, the commission will be 0.3% (maximum 1500 rubles) compared to 1.5–2.5% for regular acquiring.
The implementation will be phased: first the largest banks, then all credit organizations by September 2028. The use of the digital ruble is voluntary. According to the Bank of Russia, the platform provides multi-level protection and, in the future, will allow for the launch of smart contracts and international settlements with friendly countries that are developing their own digital currencies.