Central Bank Decides to Make Budget Payments in Digital Rubles Commission-Free for All

The Bank of Russia has decided to set zero commissions for operations from digital ruble accounts of individuals and companies to the state. The regulator has published the tariffs that will come into effect on January 1, 2026.

Until the end of 2026, zero commissions are set for all types of operations, and starting from 2027, some transactions will be subject to a commission: 15 rubles for transfers between legal entities, 0.3% of the transfer amount but no more than 1.5 thousand rubles for transfers from an individual to a legal entity (except for utility payments, paid by the recipient), and 0.2% of the transfer amount but no more than 10.00 rubles for utility payments by individuals (paid by the recipient).

It is noted that for now, access to such operations will only be available to pilot participants. And from September 1, 2026, the largest banks will be required to provide all clients with the ability to open digital ruble wallets. Payments in the new form of the national currency for citizens, as previously assumed, will remain free. For companies, transfers to the budget will also be made commission-free.

Also, starting from September 1, Russians will be able to receive salaries in digital rubles, said Anatoly Aksakov, head of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market, in an interview with RIA Novosti. He clarified that starting next fall, 12 major banks, which account for 80% of the country's turnover, will be required to conduct operations with the digital ruble. From September 1, 2026, companies with revenue exceeding 120 million rubles will be required to accept digital ruble payments. Starting from the fall of 2027, companies with a turnover of 30 million rubles or more will be added, and from 2028, all banks, as well as all trading companies with a turnover above 5 million rubles, will be included.

Russia is one of the first countries to launch its national digital currency. This form of the ruble, according to the Central Bank's concept, is intended only for settlements and does not imply profitability; no interest will be accrued on account balances.

China began introducing the digital yuan (e-CNY) several years earlier. Later, the People's Bank of China noted that the new form of the national currency did not cause a surge in demand from the population. At the end of December, it became known that to promote e-CNY, the regulator will allow commercial banks to pay interest on clients' digital yuan starting from 2026—transforming e-CNY from a cash equivalent into a "deposit currency."

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