Russia’s Digital Rouble Surges Past 220,000 Accounts in First Month
Russia’s digital rouble has far surpassed initial expectations, with over 220,000 accounts opened in just the first month since its launch on September 1, 2026. Deputy Governor Zulfiya Kakhrumanova of the Bank of Russia revealed that the uptake was nearly four times higher than the anticipated 60,000 accounts. The surge in adoption coincided with a new regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, as the Bank of Russia published admission procedures on September 24, 2026, which took effect on October 5, 2026.
The digital rouble’s rollout also aligned with the introduction of Federal Law No. 282-FZ, which legalized retail and qualified investors’ ability to trade eligible digital assets through regulated intermediaries. However, the law prohibited the use of cryptocurrencies for payments within Russia. The Bank of Russia’s statement on October 6 did not provide additional details on transaction volumes, average account balances, or geographic distribution of the digital rouble accounts.
In another significant development, the Russian Ministry of Finance began paying some government salaries in digital rubles starting October 1, 2026. Employees participating in the program opened digital rouble accounts on the Bank of Russia platform before receiving their salaries. The ministry did not disclose the number of participating employees or the total value of the payments. This move followed earlier tests in 2025, where the ministry and the Federal Treasury used about 16 million rubles in experimental transactions involving salaries and government contracts.
The Bank of Russia’s 2025 experimental program included basic transfers between individuals and companies, budget payments, and various types of smart contracts. Some commercial banks expressed reservations about the digital rouble, but the adoption figures reported by multiple outlets emphasized its success in beating forecasts and its potential role in sanctions and BRICS CBDC linking.