Russia begins digital ruble salary payments
Russia has begun paying some employees of the Ministry of Finance using the digital ruble for the first time, as part of efforts to expand the use of the digital currency issued by the central bank in government transactions. This took place within an operational experiment that started on October 1, during which around 16 million digital rubles (equivalent to approximately $192,200) were disbursed in earlier trials in 2025. The process was optional for citizens. Russian authorities, including the Central Bank and the Ministry of Finance, are working to integrate the digital ruble into budgeting processes and financial transactions, with a plan to expand its use more broadly within financial institutions and large companies by September 2026, especially amid ongoing Western sanctions imposed on Russia. This initiative aims to reduce dependence on foreign currencies and enhance monetary sovereignty, while maintaining the digital ruble as a complement to the traditional currency rather than a replacement.
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