The State Duma of Russia tends to pay salaries in digital rubles.

The Central Bank of Russia is testing a digital ruble for salary payments, but officials assert that participation is voluntary. According to the Ministry of Finance, the CBDC program was launched in 2021 and legalized in 2023. Anton Tkachev, Vice Chairman of the Information Policy Committee of the State Duma, stated that workers can choose to receive their salaries in cash or cryptocurrency, while also calling for increased digital literacy to avoid a “digital divide.”

The first experiment took place in September when Anatoly Aksakov received his salary in digital rubles. Russia plans to allow transactions between accounts starting in January 2026 and to roll it out nationwide on September 1, 2026. However, retirees will continue to receive their payments in cash or via card.

Some local banks have experimented with smart contracts using digital rubles, but experts believe that this currency will need many years to gain widespread public acceptance.