Digital Ruble Enters the Metro as Contractors Settle a State Contract
Russia’s digital ruble has moved beyond pilot tests into real economic activity. The third form of the national currency has been used to settle a government contract linked to the construction of the Moscow Metro, marking a milestone in the practical rollout of the country’s central bank digital currency.
Instant Settlement
This is the first case in which digital rubles have been used to pay for work under a large, state-funded infrastructure project. “What makes this transaction unique is that four contractors were involved at once. Funds were transferred instantly along the entire chain via digital ruble accounts on the Central Bank platform,” said Vladimir Yefimov, Moscow’s Deputy Mayor for Urban Planning and Construction. He noted that all contractors and subcontractors were able to move the digital rubles to their regular bank accounts without restrictions.
For all parties involved, the benefits were tangible. Funds were credited in under 10 seconds, interbank transfer fees were eliminated, and oversight bodies were able to see the full transaction chain in real time.
Why It Matters
This case confirmed that a national digital currency can function effectively in complex, multi-tier settlement structures involving several legal entities. That capability is especially important for the construction sector, where subcontracted work can account for 60 to 70 percent of a contract’s total value. Speed is equally critical for contractors. Payments arrive instantly, compared with traditional interbank transfers, which can take up to three business days.
Because the digital ruble is built on blockchain technology, every transaction is fully traceable. That transparency reduces the risk of misusing public funds and strengthens financial oversight across the entire payment chain.
Rolling Out at Speed
Many countries are attempting to develop and deploy their own digital currencies, but Russia has moved faster than most. Work on a prototype digital ruble platform began in late 2021. In 2022, the platform was tested, and in 2023, lawmakers adopted the legal framework governing the circulation of the third form of the national currency while pilot transactions began, involving 13 banks. In 2024, the pilot was expanded to include citizens and companies. In 2025, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree setting out the phased introduction of the digital ruble into broader circulation.
According to the Central Bank, as of December 2025 more than 20 banks were participating in digital ruble trials. Through these banks, citizens and businesses in 150 cities opened around 2,500 digital wallets and carried out roughly 100,000 transactions. The system is now moving steadily from limited testing toward real-world use.
What Comes Next
In 2026 and 2027, the digital ruble is expected to be used more widely in federal and regional procurement, particularly for infrastructure projects, with settlements increasingly automated through smart contracts. The roadmap also includes extending digital ruble payments to large state-owned companies and the distribution of subsidies.
The systemic economic effects are already becoming clear. For the public sector, the digital ruble increases spending transparency and enables automated financial control. For businesses, faster settlement reduces costs by improving cash flow across supply chains.
Having been tested in real government spending, the architecture of Russia’s digital currency platform could also become a foundation for technology exports to Eurasian Economic Union countries and other partner states, especially in the area of cross-border settlements using national currencies.
