The Bank of Russia reported that over 220,000 digital ruble accounts were opened within the first month of the nationwide rollout, which began on September 1, 2026. This figure exceeds the central bank's initial year-end projection of approximately 60,000 accounts by more than three times.
Deputy Governor Zulfiya Kakhrumanova confirmed these figures at the Fintech X10 forum on October 6, 2026. The digital ruble functions as the third official form of currency in Russia, alongside cash and bank deposits, and is issued directly by the central bank rather than commercial lenders.
To support the launch, major banks and retailers were required to integrate the system immediately. Additionally, VTB reported that over 1,500 corporate clients were prepared to open accounts as of September 2026, while the Finance Ministry began a voluntary salary payment pilot on October 1.
Individual users are limited to one account with a monthly top-up cap of 300,000 ₽. Transfers, payments, and B2B transactions remain free of charge through the end of 2026. The initiative aims to strengthen payment systems amid international sanctions, with BRICS nations exploring cross-border interoperability.
