Russia's central bank said 270,000 digital ruble accounts had been opened by Oct. 23, a registration milestone that does not show how widely households and businesses are using the state-backed currency.
Bank of Russia Governor Elvira Nabiullina announced the figure at an Oct. 23 news conference. The combined figure of 15,000 included accounts associated with legal entities and individual entrepreneurs, but Nabiullina gave no separate totals. She said interest had exceeded the central bank's initial expectations and was notable among small and midsize businesses and individual entrepreneurs.
The figure counts opened accounts. At the news conference, the Bank of Russia did not provide active-account totals or transaction amounts, so the number alone does not show how frequently people use the digital ruble. For access, customers rely on participating banks' mobile apps; the Bank of Russia runs the platform where the accounts are held. Individuals can choose whether to open an account.
The digital ruble adds an electronic form of Russia's national currency alongside cash and commercial-bank deposits. A limited pilot began in August 2023, before the first stage of broader access started Sept. 1, 2026. More banks and retailers are scheduled to join in stages through Sept. 1, 2028.
A separate VTB survey offers some context on account use. Among 1,500 people in large Russian cities, 35% said they had opened an account but had not used it when surveyed in October. Curiosity was cited by 42% as a reason for opening one, while 36% named access through a banking app and 33% cited free transfers. Respondents could select multiple reasons, so the answers record stated motivations rather than a single cause. EconoTimes previously covered the VTB poll's findings on digital ruble use.
Individuals can make transfers and payments without fees, while businesses face transaction charges after a 2026 grace period, according to earlier EconoTimes coverage. The next planned step is a subscription option by late November. The central bank also plans offline-payment trials and additional services for businesses in 2027.
