Fintech and Public Finance
Expert answers on fintech: digital ruble, blockchain and distributed ledgers, cryptocurrencies, NFC and contactless payments, public finance management, budget process.
Fintech and Public Finance
214 questionsWhat is the point of introducing the digital ruble?
The introduction of the digital ruble is aimed at creating a third, more reliable and technologically advanced form of the national currency. It expands the possibilities for fast, cheap and secure settlements, opens new prospects for the development of the digital economy and increases the transparency of financial flows. It is a tool for digital transformation of the financial system. Read more about financial technologies in the technologies section.
What is the catch of the digital ruble?
The main "catch" of the digital ruble is that it is a tool exclusively for settlements, not for savings. No interest is accrued on the digital ruble balance, so savings will gradually depreciate due to inflation. Also, all transactions become transparent to the state, which limits financial privacy. However, its use is voluntary, and you can always keep savings in traditional deposits.
Will it be possible to refuse the digital ruble?
You can refuse the digital ruble at any time simply by not opening a digital wallet — it is not mandatory to do so, and no refusal statements need to be written. The use of the third form of the national currency is absolutely voluntary. You can continue to receive salary and pensions to a card or in cash, as before. At the same time, for public procurement, the digital ruble can become a convenient tool for controlling targeted use of funds.
How much does 1 digital ruble cost?
One digital ruble equals one ordinary ruble. It is not a separate currency, but the third form of the national currency that will exist in parallel with cash and non-cash rubles. It can be freely exchanged for non-cash or cash money without conversion fees, at a 1:1 ratio.
What will happen to cash after the introduction of the digital ruble?
Cash will not disappear after the introduction of the digital ruble; its abolition is not planned. All three forms of currency (cash, non-cash and digital) will have equal value, circulate in parallel and be freely convertible into each other. The digital ruble is not a replacement for cash, but an addition to it, providing new opportunities for the national payment system.
How is the digital ruble different from money on a card?
The main difference is that non-cash money on a card is stored in an account at a commercial bank, while the digital ruble is stored on the Bank of Russia platform. This means that the digital ruble is protected from the risk of bank bankruptcy. At the same time, it does not accrue interest, unlike deposits, and is intended exclusively for payments and transfers, providing high speed and low fees.
When will the digital ruble be introduced for pensioners?
Payment of pensions in digital rubles is already provided for by law, but a mass transfer of pensioners to this form of currency is not planned. The transition to receiving a pension in digital rubles is exclusively voluntary. Widespread implementation and the ability to open digital wallets on a mass scale start from September 1, 2026. A pensioner has the right to choose how to receive payments: in cash, to a card or in digital rubles. To study related concepts, we also recommend familiarizing yourself with Banking secrecy.
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