VTB, QIWI Bank and Alfa-Bank test the digital ruble

First operations with the digital ruble during testing.

The Russian credit and financial institutions conducted the first operations with the digital ruble as part of testing the new asset.

VTB opened special accounts for CBDC, and carried out transfers between individuals and QR-code payments.

The bank said that the ability to use smart contracts with the digital ruble for individuals will become available later.

QIWI Bank transferred the asset to the charity ‘SOS Children’s Villages’, which helps orphans and families in crisis. Users were also able to top up the digital account from QIWI Wallet.

Alfa-Bank donated digital rubles to the ‘Line of Life’ foundation for seriously ill children.

The testing of CBDC for individuals and legal entities in Russia began on 15 August.

Earlier, the regulator set for banks information-security requirements for operations with digital rubles and established tariffs for them.

The law on the Russian digital currency took effect on 1 August.

Russian citizens will gain the ability to use it en masse in 2025–2027.