Central Bank To Test Digital Ruble Payments In July

Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina stated that the mass implementation of the digital ruble on September 1 will not be mandatory for citizens. The rollout will only apply to credit organizations and certain trade and service enterprises. The Bank of Russia will begin testing payments using free requisites for budget purposes in July. Alla Bakina of the Bank of Russia's payment system noted that participants are testing new types of operations as functionality expands. Alla Bakina, director of the National Payment System department, stated that over 100,000 operations have been completed during testing. This follows a March statement by Central Bank head Elvira Nabiulina that mass implementation of the digital ruble will not be mandatory for citizens starting September 1.