Russia’s digital ruble goes nationwide, drawing 87,000 new accounts and 50,000 transactions in first 10 days

Russia moved its central bank digital currency out of pilot testing and into nationwide use on September 1, requiring the country’s 12 largest banks and retailers with more than 120 million rubles ($1.42 million) in annual revenue to accept the digital ruble.

Bank of Russia Governor Elvira Nabiullina said the rollout has been largely smooth, with 87,000 accounts opened and more than 50,000 transactions completed in the first 10 days.

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Nabiullina said banks had responded quickly to issues involving account openings and certain transactions, while the central bank remained in contact with financial institutions throughout the rollout.

“The banks involved handled this very quickly, and we were in constant contact with them. We have not seen widespread problems or a large volume of complaints,” Nabiullina said.

The early figures indicate significant curiosity surrounding the new payment instrument. According to Nabiullina, 87,000 accounts were opened during the first 10 days following the nationwide rollout, while more than 50,000 transactions were completed.

“Newly opened accounts have been growing over the 10 days. We’ve had 87,000 accounts opened and more than 50,000 transactions done. Of course, many people are just giving it a try to see how it all happens, but I hope that they will appreciate the convenience,” she said.

The surge suggests that at least part of the initial activity is driven by users seeking to understand how the Digital ruble operates rather than immediately replacing existing payment methods.

Digital ruble system faces usability adjustments

Despite describing the rollout as smooth, the Bank of Russia is continuing to refine the Digital ruble platform as more consumers and businesses begin using it.

Nabiullina said the central bank is working to simplify certain operations, particularly the process of opening accounts and completing transactions. The goal is to reduce the number of steps required while maintaining security protections.

“We are currently working in parallel to reduce the number of clicks a person needs in order to open an account or perform a transaction, while ensuring we maintain a high level of protection,” she said.

The comments point to an early implementation phase in which the central bank is balancing convenience with the security requirements of a nationwide digital payment system.

The increased activity also reflects interest from both individuals and companies. As adoption expands, the usability of the Digital ruble platform could become an important factor in determining how frequently consumers choose it over established payment options.

For now, however, the Bank of Russia maintains that users will retain the ability to decide whether to use the CBDC.

Digital ruble adoption expands across Russian businesses

The nationwide rollout also introduces new acceptance requirements for parts of Russia’s banking and retail sectors.

From September 1, the 12 largest Russian banks are required to accept Digital ruble payments. Retailers with annual revenue exceeding 120 million rubles, equivalent to about $1.42 million based on the figure cited in the original report, are also required to support the CBDC.

The requirements are part of a broader phased integration plan that is expected to bring additional businesses into the Digital ruble ecosystem through 2028.

While the currency itself is not mandatory for consumers, the expanding acceptance network gives users more opportunities to spend it once they have opened an account.

Nabiullina emphasized that individuals will ultimately determine whether the new form of money becomes part of their everyday financial activity.

“Ultimately, though, the choice of what to use is theirs,” she said.

That distinction leaves the Digital ruble as an optional payment instrument for consumers while requiring an increasing number of financial institutions and merchants to accommodate it.

Digital ruble enters its next phase

The transition from a controlled pilot to nationwide availability represents a significant stage in Russia’s CBDC program. The Digital ruble has now moved into an environment where adoption will be measured not only by account openings but also by recurring transactions and merchant acceptance.

The first 10 days produced 87,000 new accounts and more than 50,000 transactions, although Nabiullina acknowledged that some users are testing the system primarily out of curiosity.

The central bank’s next challenge will be encouraging sustained use while improving the experience of accessing and spending the Digital ruble. Its phased expansion among banks and retailers through 2028 will also determine how broadly the system becomes integrated into Russia’s payment infrastructure.

For the Bank of Russia, the early rollout provides an initial indication of public interest while leaving the longer-term question of everyday adoption unresolved.