according to Bitcoin.com, Anna Katamadze, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Russia, announced that the digital ruble payment network is scheduled to be launched in 2026, when citizens can use the digital currency for payments through the central bank's platform wallet. This timetable is earlier than the industry's previous estimate of 2027.
Progress in technical testing shows that 15 banks, around 1700 citizens, and about 30 companies are currently participating in the pilot program. Although the deployment plan was postponed in March, Central Bank Governor Nabi Nabiullina emphasized that the delay was not related to the progress of the pilot program. It is worth noting that the Russian government has begun to incorporate the digital ruble into the budget payment and subsidy distribution system to enhance transparency in fund circulation.