The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has requested to extend the timeline for the launch of the digital ruble by two years

The Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade has requested to extend the timeline for the launch of the digital ruble by two years, similar to the timeline provided for small retailers. In October, the Central Bank of Russia announced the timeline for the launch of the digital ruble as part of a bill submitted to the State Duma. The large-scale launch date is July 1, 2025. By that time, the largest banks and retailers must support the Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC).
The July 1 deadline applies to retailers with a turnover of more than 30 million rubles (274,000 USD). Retailers with revenues between 20 million and 30 million rubles can receive an additional year, while small companies can receive an extra two years.
The ministry pointed out that there are still no rules for the operation and functioning of the digital ruble, so retailers do not have enough time to prepare and adjust their point-of-sale software.
Trade organizations agree with this view. The Association of Retail Companies (ACORT) stated in a letter: "We believe it is necessary to avoid setting specific deadlines for the launch of the system at the trade level through legislation and to establish at least a two-year transition period during which companies will carry out the necessary work."