Russians Will Be Able to Receive Salaries in Digital Rubles Starting in 2026
The option to receive wages in digital rubles in Russia is to become available from September 1, 2026.
As Anatoly Aksakov, head of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market, told RIA Novosti in an interview, transactions involving the digital ruble will be carried out by systemically important financial institutions. There are currently 12 such banks in Russia, but they account for more than 80% of total transaction turnover. This means that the majority of Russians will be able to pay for goods and services through these banks.
Phased Rollout
As for businesses, companies with annual turnover of 120 million rubles or more will be included in the system from September 2026, the lawmaker said. From September 2027, banks and service-sector companies with turnover of 30 million rubles or more will be required to sell goods and services using digital rubles. On September 1, 2028, all banks, including those with a basic license, as well as retail businesses with turnover exceeding 5 million rubles, will join the system.
Aksakov stressed that using the digital ruble will be a voluntary choice for Russians.
