Central Bank of Russia Confirms Digital Ruble Will Be Free for Citizens with No Commissions
The Bank of Russia has confirmed that operations with the digital ruble will be entirely free for Russian citizens. Alla Bakina, Director of the Department of National Payment Systems, stated that transfers and payments for individuals will carry no commissions whatsoever.
Businesses will not be exempt from fees, yet the regulator has pledged to keep tariffs minimal and below the rates currently charged by banks for comparable operations. From 1 September, citizens will be able to open digital ruble wallets directly through the mobile applications of systemically important banks and other credit organisations recognised as significant in the payments market.
A separate button featuring the logo of the new currency form will appear on the main screen of these banking apps. To make payments, users will scan a special QR code within their banking application, select the required digital ruble wallet, and confirm the transaction.
From September, retail chains with annual revenue above 120 million rubles must begin accepting such payments. The obligation will gradually extend to smaller merchants over time. The Bank of Russia stresses that the digital ruble does not replace cash or funds held in bank accounts but constitutes a voluntary third form of the national currency.
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