Salaries in digital rubles from 2026: what will change for Russians

From September 1, 2026, Russians will be able to voluntarily receive salaries in the digital ruble — the third form of the national currency, along with cash and non-cash money. This will be possible thanks to the phased implementation of the digital ruble, approved by law.

When and how it will be possible to receive a salary in the digital ruble

The head of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market, Anatoly Aksakov, in an interview with RIA Novosti, told xrust about the key stages:

• From September 1, 2026: any citizen will be able to voluntarily choose to receive a salary in a digital ruble.
• Large trading and service companies (with an annual turnover of more than 120 million rubles) will begin to accept digital rubles.
• Systemically important banks (there are about 12–13 of them, accounting for ~80% of banking transactions) are required to support transactions with the digital ruble.
• From September 1, 2027: the obligation to accept digital rubles will extend to organizations with a turnover of 30 million rubles or more.
• From 2028: all banks and companies with a turnover of over 5 million rubles will connect to the system.

Participation remains voluntary — no one will force you to transfer your salary to digital format.

Advantages and features of the digital ruble

The digital ruble is a unique digital code stored in a special wallet on the Bank of Russia platform. Its exchange rate is always 1:1 to the regular ruble.

Key advantages:

• Fast and cheap transfers (fees are lower than in conventional non-cash transactions).
• High security: transactions are easily tracked, lost funds can be returned.
• Convenience for budget payments and social payments (the pilot has already started in 2025).

An important disadvantage: interest is not accrued on balances in the digital ruble, unlike deposits or savings accounts.

Expert opinion: a mass transition is not expected

Advisor to the Chairman of the Bank of Russia, Kirill Tremasov, noted that Russians are unlikely to en masse switch to the digital ruble for storing funds. “Nothing will be credited to digital rubles; this fact alone may make you think about whether they are needed in principle,” he explained in a speech (quoted by Interfax).

According to him, some citizens will open wallets out of curiosity, but it is not profitable to store significant amounts there — they will have to sacrifice the return on deposits. The main advantages of the digital ruble will manifest themselves in the budgetary sector, where they will ensure complete control over expenses.

What is the digital ruble: a brief background

The project was launched by the Bank of Russia in 2023. Pilot testing has been going on since August 2023: by mid-2025, thousands of wallets have been opened, transfers and payments have been tested. Mass implementation is regulated by Federal Law No. 248-FZ dated July 23, 2025 (source: official website of the President of the Russian Federation and the Bank of Russia).

The digital ruble complements existing forms of money, increasing the transparency and efficiency of the financial system.

Xrust Salary in digital ruble from 2026: what will change for Russians