Nga gives the green light for payments in digital rubles for salaries and pensions

The Russian government is preparing to implement some budget expenditures in digital ruble within this year, according to an announcement from the Russian Ministry of Finance. Although the full rollout of the central bank digital currency (CBDC) is expected to take place in the second half of next year, pilot budget transactions will be conducted earlier.

The approved expenditure categories include social welfare benefits, public sector salaries, as well as construction, repair, and maintenance costs for state-owned facilities. Participation is entirely voluntary; only citizens who actively open a digital ruble wallet will be able to receive payments.

This initiative is based on new amendments to the Russian Budget Code, providing a legal basis for executing the federal budget through the Treasury’s digital ruble account. The Ministry of Finance is working closely with the Central Bank of Russia to integrate this currency into the public financial system, aiming for large-scale deployment by 2026.