Russia Finance Ministry Makes First Salary Payments in Digital Rubles
Summary
- Russia's Finance Ministry said it has made its first salary payments to some employees in digital rubles, adding that participation in the wage program is voluntary.
- The ministry said about 16 million digital rubles were distributed during a 2025 pilot program for federal budget spending, and that the same method was used for the latest payroll payments.
- The digital ruble is being developed jointly by the Bank of Russia and the Finance Ministry, with major banks and retail companies now supporting transactions, while the EU announced preemptive sanctions in April.
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Russia's Finance Ministry has made its first salary payments in digital rubles to some employees.
Cointelegraph reported on October 4 that the ministry said in a statement that some employees have been receiving wages in the central bank digital currency, or CBDC, since October 1. Participation in the program is voluntary.
The ministry did not disclose how many employees were paid in digital rubles or the total amount distributed. It said about 16 million digital rubles were paid during a 2025 pilot program for federal budget spending, and that the same method was used for the latest payroll payments.
The digital ruble is being developed jointly by the Bank of Russia and the Finance Ministry. Development began in 2021. The currency was designed to complement the existing fiat ruble, and major banks and retail companies currently support transactions using it.
The European Union, meanwhile, announced preemptive sanctions on the digital ruble in April as part of its response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Suehyeon Lee
shlee@bloomingbit.ioI'm reporter Suehyeon Lee, your Web3 Moderator.