Digital Ruble Greenlit by Russian Lower House Prior to September Launch Next Year
The introduction of the digital Ruble has been officially announced, with its rollout scheduled to commence on 1 September 2026. As reported in an article published by the state-run media outlet, Tass, on 15 July 2025, the State Duma, Russia’s lower legislative chamber, has supported a gradual implementation of the CBDC.
The report states that the legislation requires major Russian companies and banks to provide CBDC services by September of the following year, excluding smaller enterprises. Following the passage of the bill in its third reading by the lower house, it is now set to be reviewed by the Federation Council (the upper house) for ratification.
After the Federation Council’s approval, the bill will be sent to President Vladimir Putin for his signature to become law. These steps are largely procedural, as the Central Bank has already established 1 September 2026 as the official launch date for the CBDC.
Russian lawmakers pass digital ruble bill, paving way for a 2025 CBDC rollout. Mandatory for all banks, optional for citizens and businesses. #CBDC #Crypto
— Coinsensus (@CoinsensusNow) July 17, 2025
The legislation, crafted by a mix of Russian lawmakers and senators, was spearheaded by Anatoly Aksakov, the Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets. Aksakov has played a pivotal role in formulating the CBDC legislation and is the main architect of Russia’s crypto and CBDC policy frameworks.
According to the timeline stated in the bill for the digital Ruble’s adoption, large companies generating more than 120 million Rubles ($1.5 million) are required to base level the CBDC by 1 September 2026. Medium-sized businesses have until September 2027, whereas smaller companies and startups have a deadline of September 2028.
The legislation also extends to foreign bank branches operating in Russia.
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Digital Ruble QR Codes Required for Transactions
The bill stipulates that digital Ruble QR codes must be utilized for the payment of goods and services. Individuals will be able to pay with CBDC tokens, or units of the digital Ruble, to merchants or individual sellers by scanning app-based QR codes.
Additionally, vendors are mandated to accommodate customers wishing to pay in digital Rubles upon request.
Moreover, the legislation addresses challenges associated with launching the CBDC in areas of Russia that suffer from limited internet or mobile coverage. With numerous rural locations still experiencing connectivity issues, the law provides vendors lacking adequate internet or mobile platform access an option to opt-out of accepting digital Ruble payments.
Businesses earning less than 5 million Rubles ($63,900 approximately) annually will also have the choice to refrain from supporting digital Ruble transactions.
The implementation of a universal QR code payment system aims to provide a more secure and user-friendly method for handling transactions, thereby streamlining payments throughout the country.
The launch of the CBDC in Russia signals a wider initiative to reduce cash transactions and enhance financial inclusivity.
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Sberbank Raises Questions About CBDC Necessity
Despite the governmental push for a digital Ruble, commercial banks have raised concerns regarding the necessity of a Russian CBDC. Sberbank CEO German Graf expressed his skepticism about the digital Ruble’s potential to spur significant economic change in the nation.
Graf expressed his views in a local publication, stating, “I can’t comprehend why an individual would need the option to use a CBDC. Neither do banks. And businesses, too. I’m not sure why this is needed at all.”
He did acknowledge, however, that CBDCs might facilitate cross-border transactions if foreign partners wish to utilize the CBDC as well.
Nonetheless, the pilot phase launched in 2023 is currently underway, with the Russian Central Bank asserting that the digital Ruble will enable quicker, more transparent, and secure transactions.
Additionally, the Ministry of Finance has endorsed the use of the digital Ruble for government contracts and benefits distribution, arguing that it will aid in combating fraud and corruption.
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Key Takeaways
- The Russian State Duma has enacted legislation mandating a phased introduction of the digital Ruble commencing in September next year
- Major businesses will adopt the CBDC first, while medium and smaller enterprises will follow in September 2027 and 2028, respectively
- The bill requires QR codes to be used as a standard for processing payments
The post Digital Ruble Approved by Russian Lower House Ahead of September Rollout Next Year appeared first on 99Bitcoins.
