Merchants advocating for a postponement in the launch of Russia's central bank digital currency.

The Bank of Russia has announced a significant development in the rollout of the digital ruble, the country's central bank digital currency (CBDC). According to the latest updates, larger retailers with an annual turnover of over 30 million rubles ($274,000) are still expected to comply with the digital ruble rollout by the initial deadline of 1st July 2025. However, a reprieve has been granted to smaller retailers, with incomes between 20 to 30 million rubles, who now have an extra year to adapt.

This decision comes as a response to concerns raised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, who have expressed doubts about the feasibility of the current timeline. The ministry believes that the current deadline does not provide sufficient time for retailers to prepare and adapt their point of sale software for the digital ruble.

Despite the extended deadline for smaller retailers, it's important to note that there are still no established rules for the operation and functioning of the digital ruble. The Ministry of Finance is currently requesting an extension of the digital ruble's implementation by up to two years, highlighting the ongoing challenges in establishing the necessary infrastructure for the digital currency.

The digital ruble mass rollout date, initially set for 1st July 2025, remains unchanged for larger retailers and the banking sector. By this date, the Bank of Russia expects the largest banks and retailers to support the digital ruble.

This extension for smaller retailers is a step towards ensuring a smoother transition to the digital ruble. The digital ruble, once fully implemented, is expected to offer increased efficiency, security, and convenience in financial transactions. However, the lack of clear rules and the ongoing concerns from key stakeholders indicate that there is still much work to be done before the digital ruble can be fully rolled out.