In the first reading, the State Duma adopted a law on the phased introduction of the digital ruble into circulation.

The State Duma (State Duma) has adopted in the first reading a bill obliging banks to carry out transactions with the digital ruble and use a universal QR code. The decision was made on May 22 at a plenary session of the State Duma, the course of which was broadcast on the website of the lower house of parliament.

The bill was introduced by a group of senators and deputies and is aimed at expanding settlements in digital rubles and introducing a universal code for non-cash payment for goods, works and services. It clarifies that banks and points of sale must ensure payment in digital currency within three years.

It is specified that the transfer of digital rubles from individuals to legal entities will be carried out using a universal payment code. Starting from January 1, 2026, money transfer operators will be required to provide customers with transfer details or a link to them in the form of a universal payment code.

Payment scheme: the State Duma Committee approved a draft on the phased introduction of the digital ruble

What will change with the advent of the third form of national currency

In February, Anatoly Aksakov, head of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets, told Izvestia that the launch of the digital ruble had been postponed until at least 2026. Most likely, it won't start working until next summer. The deputy noted that it makes no sense to postpone the launch of the digital ruble too much, because the infrastructure for this is ready from the Central Bank of the Russian Federation and most large banks would be ready by July 1.