From 1 September 2026, Russia began introducing the digital rouble as a new form of the national currency for payments by individuals and businesses. It is issued by the Bank of Russia, which also operates the digital rouble platform and keeps records of transactions with it. Customers of banks connected to the platform can open digital rouble accounts, transfer funds and pay for goods, works and services.

The obligation to accept payment in digital roubles is being introduced in stages:

• From 1 September 2026, it applies to sellers of goods, works and services whose annual revenue for the previous calendar year exceeds RUB 120,000,000, provided they are customers of systemically important credit institutions. The list of such institutions is determined and published by the Bank of Russia;
• From 1 September 2027 — to sellers with annual revenue above RUB 30,000,000.
• From 1 September 2028 — to all other sellers with annual revenue of RUB 20,000,000 or more.

The obligation does not apply to businesses with revenue below RUB 20,000,000, retail outlets with revenue below RUB 5,000,000 or points of sale without Internet access.

It is important to bear in mind that using the digital rouble is voluntary. It does not replace cash or non-cash payments: individuals and organisations can choose whichever payment method is available to them.

Sources

• Federal Law No. 248-FZ of 23.07.2025 "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of the Russian Federation";
• Bank of Russia Directive No. 5778-U of 13.04.2021 "On the Methodology for Identifying Systemically Important Credit Institutions"