Russia to Issue First Utility Digital Rights Backed by Wheat

Agroholding Melkom will become the first Russian company to issue utility digital rights backed by wheat supplies, creating a new financial tool that could serve as an alternative to traditional loans.

Russian agricultural giant Melkom is pioneering the use of utility digital rights, a mechanism secured by the delivery of food-grade wheat, to attract investment. In practice, these rights function as an electronic counterpart to coupons, certificates, or other guarantee papers, granting the holder access to specified goods, services, or work.

The introduction of this mechanism marks a new stage in Russia’s digital commodity market. For agribusinesses, it offers an alternative to conventional loans and represents a fundamentally different way to manage working capital. By issuing digital rights, farmers can raise funds and obtain what they need without accumulating excessive debt. For investors, the instrument is equally attractive, as it provides an opportunity to profit from favorable trends in the grain market.

The St. Petersburg Technical Center contributed to the creation of the digital tool. Experts there note that a secondary market for these digital obligations could soon emerge, making them available on the stock exchange to a wide range of participants.