Knowledge base
Questions and answers
Baseline answers from official Bank of Russia material, without replacing advice for a specific case.
Last editorial review: 4 August 2026
Must individuals use the digital ruble?
No. The Bank of Russia states that individuals choose which form of the ruble to use and that a digital-ruble account is not opened automatically.
Does the balance earn interest?
No. The Bank of Russia does not issue digital-ruble loans or pay interest on balances. Deposits and loans remain commercial-bank products.
Is the digital ruble a cryptocurrency?
No. The Bank of Russia issues it as a form of national currency. Cryptocurrency has a different legal and economic nature.
Must every merchant accept it from September 2026?
No. Applicability depends on the merchant category, bank, revenue, and statutory exemptions. Each merchant must check its position against current law and official guidance.
Where should updates be checked?
RURChain is an independent information and analysis project. It is not a Bank of Russia website or a government information system.