The Central Bank of Russia will expand access to the digital ruble from September 1, 2026, when major banks and retail companies make their infrastructure available for processing the currency. Individuals may opt to open an account on the central bank’s platform through participating banks’ mobile applications. A person or company may hold one account, while an individual entrepreneur may hold separate personal and business accounts. Individuals may add up to RUB 300,000 a month from bank accounts, while businesses face no top-up limit. The platform will support transfers between customers and businesses, transactions with the government, purchases and refunds. Services will remain free for individuals, and businesses will pay no transaction fees through the end of 2026 before charges begin in 2027. The rollout broadens the digital ruble infrastructure as the central bank also explores additional capabilities, including a commercial smart contract platform.
2026-08-31Central Bank of Russia
Central Bank of Russia expands digital ruble access through major banks and retailers from September 1
The Central Bank of Russia will broaden digital ruble access from September 1, 2026, through major banks and retailers. Individuals may add up to RUB 300,000 monthly, while businesses have no top-up limit and will receive fee-free transactions through the end of 2026.