Experimental operations with the digital ruble are mainly taking place on Android as the “most popular and loyal” platform. This was conveyed by representatives of the Bank of Russia in a conversation with Kommersant.
Meanwhile, users of iOS-based devices are facing problems, as Apple regularly blocks apps of sanctioned banks.
“Currently, in the pilot, operations are being tested on smartphones with different operating systems, both Android and iOS,” the central bank assured.
According to a representative of the Central Bank, access to digital ruble wallets is temporarily provided only through the mobile apps of banks participating in the testing of the technology.
One of the publication’s sources said that CBDC testing on a single operating system is easier and cheaper.
Only one unnamed participant bank confirmed that it was operating on the iOS platform.
“We have tested our digital ruble solutions on both the iOS platform and the Android platform. The functionality of these solutions does not depend on the platform,” stressed the institution’s representative.
The pilot of the digital ruble started on August 15. It involved 13 banks: Alfa-Bank, DOM.RF, Ingosstrakh Bank, VTB, Gazprombank, QIWI Bank, AK BARS Bank, MTS Bank, Promsvyazbank, Sovcombank, Sinara Bank, Rosbank and TKB Bank.
VTB and Sinara Bank noted that more than 70% of their clients use Android smartphones, so they conducted tests on this platform.
According to Promsvyazbank, since testing began, participants in the pilot group opened more than 40 digital accounts and completed several thousand operations.
The digital ruble supports interbank transfers and QR-code payments similar to СБП.
The law on the national digital currency came into force on 1 August. Russian citizens will be able to use the new payment instrument in 2025–2027.
In September, the Russian Finance Ministry explained the accounting treatment of CBDC operations.
Later, banks calculated the costs of implementing the technology. Rosbank estimated its expenditures over two years at 150 million rubles.