Russia Integrates Digital Ruble Payments Into Retail Checkout Systems
More than 60,000 cash registers across the country will soon accept the digital ruble, marking another step toward nationwide adoption of the new state-backed currency.
At the Connected Retail Forum, MTS Bank and Artix, a leading developer of retail software, unveiled a new feature that enables digital ruble payments directly through checkout systems, including self-service terminals.
The integration means that over 60,000 cash registers across Russia could soon process digital ruble transactions. To pay, shoppers will simply scan a QR code using the “MTS Money” app through the Digital Ruble widget and confirm the purchase.
A Transparent, Cashless Future
The pilot project aims to accelerate the use of innovative financial technologies and further automate the country’s retail sector. Officials say the digital ruble will make transactions more transparent, reduce costs, and boost the popularity of cashless payments.
The digital ruble is considered the third form of Russia’s national currency, complementing physical cash and non-cash rubles. As Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma’s IT and communications committee, explained, “the digital ruble is equivalent to the traditional one, but it’s stored on a secure platform managed by the Bank of Russia.”
Starting this month, pension and social benefit payments are also being tested in digital rubles in several regions. By 2026, most federal payments are expected to move to this format — another signal that Russia’s digital currency is rapidly becoming part of everyday life.
