An expert assessed the prospects for the spread of the digital ruble

The spread of another type of money will not become immediately mass, the technology is still at the stage of implementation, and the use of the digital ruble will be voluntary, said Denis Astafiev, founder of the investment company SharesPro.

"The digital ruble is another form of national currency issued by the Central Bank of Russia. It represents a digital code and is a supplement to cash and non-cash money, but does not replace them. The main difference from regular money held in bank accounts is that the digital ruble exists in a special platform managed by the Central Bank, rather than in private banks. The distribution of the new type of money will not become immediately mass, the technology is still at the stage of implementation. Therefore, initially the digital ruble can be used to pay for goods and services in places that support its acceptance," the expert emphasized.

Astafiev noted that in the future the digital ruble should be available for payments everywhere, including offline transactions using special wallets. At the same time, its use should be exclusively voluntary.

"Mass introduction of the digital ruble is possible, but requires significant technical and organizational changes. This concerns both the adaptation of business and the banking system, and the preparation of citizens for the use of a new form of money. There is also a possibility that the transition to the digital ruble will lead to a decrease in liquidity in commercial banks, as part of the funds may move to the Central Bank's system," Astafiev clarified.

The expert also added that even with the mass introduction of the digital ruble, cash will not disappear. The digital ruble is considered as an additional form of money, not as a replacement for cash and non-cash funds. In addition, the digital ruble is not suitable for savings, as it does not involve storage in deposits and savings accounts. Its most obvious use is for transfers, which will be free and can be carried out even offline, without access to the Internet.