Russian Lawmakers Approve Digital Ruble Bill, Setting Stage for 2026 CBDC Launch

Russia's State Duma has passed legislation mandating a nationwide rollout of the digital ruble by September 2026. The bill, championed by Anatoly Aksakov, head of the Financial Markets Committee, establishes legal framework for the Central Bank's CBDC implementation timeline.

Financial institutions with annual revenues exceeding $1.5 million will be required to offer digital ruble services starting 2026. The legislation now moves to the Federation Council and President Putin for final approval—a procedural formality given the government's strong push for sovereign digital currency adoption.

The decision follows Russia's strategic postponement from initial 2025 launch plans, reflecting measured approach to CBDC integration. This development positions Russia among major economies advancing state-backed digital currencies, though notably absent from the current framework is any integration with existing cryptocurrency markets or exchanges.