Russias Central Bank Postpones Full Launch of Digital Ruble Indefinitely

The Central Bank of Russia announced on Thursday that the full-scale rollout of the country’s blockchain-based «Digital Ruble» has been postponed indefinitely.

Originally, the regulator had set a deadline for major banks and businesses to start accepting digital ruble payments — which are being promoted as a legitimate alternative to cryptocurrencies — by July 1, 2025. Smaller banks and businesses were anticipated to adopt the digital currency in 2026 and 2027.

«We continue to receive inquiries regarding the delays in the wider rollout of the digital ruble,» stated Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina during a speech to the banking association of Russia.

«Our goal is to move forward with the widespread implementation of the digital ruble at a later date,» she continued, without providing a new schedule.

Nabiullina mentioned that pilot testing has been «successful,» with participation from 15 banks, 30 companies, and 1,700 individuals. However, she acknowledged that certain «details» still need to be addressed and that banks must be consulted on the «most appealing economic model» for customers before the digital ruble can be fully rolled out.

According to Nabiullina, the central bank views the digital ruble as a «crucial element» of smart contracts, which are automated exchanges between parties that do not require an intermediary, legal framework, or external enforcement.

The Digital Ruble is classified as a central bank digital currency (CBDC), intended to operate alongside cash and existing digital payment systems. It will be fully convertible to cash and other digital currencies, but it will not earn interest or be offered for lending purposes.

Moscow has positioned the digital ruble as a mechanism for international transactions that can circumvent foreign commercial banks and Western financial systems like SWIFT, raising concerns about Russia’s capacity to bypass sanctions.