Russians Skeptical of Digital Ruble’s Intentions Amid Limited Crypto Adoption

Nearly half of Russians view the upcoming digital ruble as a tool for increased government surveillance rather than financial innovation. A Mar Consult survey reveals 47% believe Moscow's central bank digital currency (CBDC) aims to tighten control over monetary flows, overshadowing perceived benefits like transaction security (26%) and user convenience (22%).

While 65% of respondents demonstrate awareness of the CBDC initiative, crypto adoption remains nascent—only 20% report experimenting with decentralized currencies. This skepticism persists despite potential systemic advantages, including reduced banking costs cited by 18% of participants.

"The dominant narrative frames the digital ruble as an instrument of financial control rather than technological progress," notes Alexander Novikov, Mar Consult's research director. The findings underscore the challenge of implementing state-backed digital currencies in markets where trust in institutional motives remains low.