Russia pays first salary in digital rubles
The first salary has been paid in digital rubles, with the government indicating employees can choose CBDC payments in the future.
Russia has made its first salary payment in digital rubles, marking a milestone in the country’s adoption of its central bank digital currency (CBDC). The Ministry of Finance confirmed the payment with the Central Bank of Russia will be available to government employees on request.
The first payment went to Anatoly Aksakov, State Duma finance committee chair and key figure in digital currency legislation. Aksakov spent the digital rubles on charity and daily purchases, including a restaurant, testing its practical use.
The digital ruble is scheduled for a phased public launch on 1 September 2026. Trials have already included government transfers, commercial transactions, and payments in transport and real estate, signalling a gradual integration into the wider economy.
Officials plan to allow transactions between digital ruble accounts starting 1 January 2026, while payments will remain optional for recipients.
Russia’s CBDC development began in 2021, with legislation adopted in 2023. The initiative aims to modernise financial operations, increase efficiency in federal payments, and provide an alternative to traditional cash.
The rollout is being monitored closely as a test case for wider adoption of state-backed digital currencies.
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