The Central Bank of Russia published an update on a law adopted by the State Duma that sets a phased, mandatory rollout of digital ruble services and acceptance across banks and retailers, starting on 1 September 2026 and extending to September 2028. The framework requires major banks to be the first to offer customers the ability to open digital ruble accounts and conduct transactions, with obligations expanding to the rest of the banking sector in stages. From 1 September 2026, retailers that bank with major banks and had prior-year revenue above RUB 120 million must accept digital ruble payments. Banks with a universal licence, and retail clients with annual revenue above RUB 30 million, must begin processing digital ruble transactions on 1 September 2027, while remaining banks and retailers with annual revenue under RUB 30 million must comply from 1 September 2028; retail outlets with annual revenue below RUB 5 million are exempt from the acceptance requirement. The update reiterates that the digital ruble will circulate alongside cash and non-cash rubles, with individuals able to use digital wallets via standard banking apps connected to the Bank of Russia platform, and digital ruble transactions for individuals being fee-free. The law also sets timeframes for launching a universal QR code based on the National Payment Card System solution, intended to support multiple non-card payment options, including the Faster Payments System, banks’ platforms and buy-now-pay-later services, with digital rubles to be added later. All banks must adapt their systems to support the universal QR code option by 1 September 2026, while the Bank of Russia Board of Directors will determine the schedule for banks to connect retailers; the NPCS will generate the universal QR code for banks on a fee-free basis.

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