Trading and service enterprises from 11 cities in Russia will participate in testing the digital ruble. This was said by Bank of Russia first deputy chair Olga Skorobogatova at SPIEF-2023, according to РБК.
The list of cities has not been disclosed yet. In May, the digital ruble platform was put into commercial operation; it is fully ready for transactions. Testing will begin after the necessary laws are enacted.
“This is also very important for us — these are 11 cities where we chose these groups together with banks. For us, payments for goods and services are more interesting from a practical experience standpoint than transfers from person to person,” Skorobogatova explained.
She added that the corresponding wallets will be opened to banks, citizens and businesses. There are also plans to test transfers between individuals.
In April, the Bank of Russia released FAQ on the digital ruble, in which it explained the principles of operation of the new financial instrument and the myths associated with it.
In the same month, Bank of Russia head Elvira Nabiullina said about limits on operations with the new asset.