Digital Ruble to Launch on September 1: How Accounts and Payments Will Work

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Starting September 1, major Russian banks and retail companies will begin integrating their infrastructure to support transactions with digital rubles. Individuals and organizations will have the option to use the digital form of the national currency for payments and transfers.

To work with digital rubles, a special account must be opened on the platform of the Bank of Russia (Central Bank). A corresponding section will appear in the mobile apps of banks connected to the system.

Both individuals and organizations will be allowed to have one digital account. Individual entrepreneurs will have access to two accounts: one as a private individual and another for business-related transactions.

Individuals will be able to transfer funds from their regular bank accounts into digital rubles within a set limit — up to 300,000 rubles per month. There will be no restrictions on digital account top-ups for businesses.

Once funds are in the digital wallet, they can be used without limitations. Users will be able to make transfers between individuals and organizations, pay for goods and services, receive refunds, and conduct transactions with the government, including budget payments and receiving payouts.

Transactions with digital rubles will be free for individuals. For individual entrepreneurs and companies, a grace period will apply until the end of 2026, during which no fees will be charged for payments and transfers.

From 2027 onwards, tariffs will be introduced for businesses. The Bank of Russia has previously stated that these fees will be minimal compared to current payment market commissions.