The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) is preparing to release a digital prototype of the national fiat towards the end of 2021, a high-ranking official has confirmed. Transfers between private individuals will be free of charge with the digital ruble, which is going to have legal tender status on par with Russia’s traditional currency.
Bank of Russia to Work With Financial Sector on Digital Ruble Project
The monetary policy regulator of the Russian Federation, also known as Bank of Russia, has been working to digitalize the ruble since mid-October when its plan was announced to the public. The Russian central bank digital currency (CBDC) will be designed as a unique digital code stored in dedicated electronic wallets. The coin will become a fully-fledged means of payment that Russians will be able to use alongside the regular ruble.
The bank has already published a consultative report and presented the concept of the new digital ruble. “We’ll make a prototype at the end of the year,” CBR Deputy Governor Olga Skorobogatova said this week, quoted by RIA Novosti. Speaking at an open meeting of the parliamentary Financial Markets Committee, Skorobogatova noted that Bank of Russia is going to work with the Russian financial sector to determine the different stages of the project’s implementation.
Read more: https://news.bitcoin.com/bank-of-russia-to-launch-digital-ruble-prototype-by-end-of-year/