The Central Bank of Russia proposed a plan last week that requires major banks in the country to provide customers with the opportunity to conduct transactions in digital rubles by July 1, 2025, including opening digital ruble accounts, cash deposits, fund transfers, and receiving digital rubles through relevant infrastructure.

The news service department of the Russian Central Bank stated in a press release that the regulatory agency has submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Finance to amend relevant laws. It wrote:

The regulatory agency plans to promote the large-scale use of digital national currencies from that moment on. Importantly, the digital ruble can be used by individuals and businesses, and can be freely used like other forms of ruble (physical currency or bank deposits)

The regulatory agency added that other banks with general licenses have more time to adjust their systems (before July 1, 2026), while other credit institutions must ensure compliance before July 1, 2027. The Russian central bank also plans to set a deadline for mandatory acceptance of digital ruble payments for trade and service companies (TSC).

The regulatory agency pointed out that after the large-scale implementation of digital rubles, banks and TSCs will be able to start accepting digital rubles when the relevant infrastructure is ready, including before the deadline recommended in the document. Shopping payments in digital rubles will be made using a universal QR code based on The National Payment Card System, which will help banks and TSCs avoid additional costs.

According to TASS, the Russian state media, the Russian central bank has been conducting a pilot project for the actual digital ruble since August 15, 2023, and expanding the pilot from September 1, 2024. The number of participants has also increased several times as the new phase begins.

Related reports: Bloomberg: Russia will start piloting cryptocurrency payments and exchanges to ease payment difficulties for businesses caused by sanctions. Putin: Digital currencies have a future and must be legislated at the right time