A VTB poll found 35% of respondents had opened digital ruble accounts but reported no further activity at the time of the October survey, as Russia broadens access to its central bank currency.
VTB questioned 1,500 people in large Russian cities. The bank said 42% cited curiosity or a desire to try something new as a reason for opening an account. Access through a banking app drew 36%, free transfers 33% and an acquaintance’s recommendation 21%; respondents could give multiple answers.
About 20% reported either receiving a digital ruble transfer or adding money to a wallet. Another 17% said they had made a purchase in a physical store.
Rewards led the proposed incentives for regular use: 54% selected cashback or discounts. Wider acceptance by stores drew 42%, while 38% selected the ability to pay offline. The Bank of Russia says digital ruble payments do not earn cashback.
Individuals can make digital ruble transfers and payments without fees, while businesses face transaction charges after a 2026 grace period. Balances are held on the Bank of Russia’s platform, and individuals can choose to open an account through a participating bank’s app. The digital ruble adds a central bank digital option alongside Russia’s cash and commercial bank money.
Russia began its broader rollout on Sept. 1, 2026, following a limited pilot that started in August 2023. More banks and merchants are scheduled to support digital ruble payments in phases through Sept. 1, 2028.
Offline payments were unavailable as of Oct. 12, when Bank of Russia Deputy Governor Zulfia Kakhrumanova discussed the feature in an interview. Kakhrumanova described a small initial trial of the technology before wider deployment, but gave no test date. The next scheduled expansion of bank and merchant participation is Sept. 1, 2027.
