TechFlow news, December 31 — According to Bitcoin.com, the Russian State Duma has introduced a bill mandating banks and merchants to use the Central Bank of Russia's central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital ruble, while also implementing a universal QR code payment system. Spearheaded by a group of senators and lawmakers including Anatoly Aksakov, chairman of the Duma’s Committee on Financial Markets, the legislation has been formally submitted to the lower house’s electronic database.
The proposal outlines a phased rollout of the digital ruble, starting July 1, 2025, with systemically important banks, expanding to all banks by 2027. Merchants will also be required to accept the digital ruble to encourage public adoption. Starting July 2025, businesses with annual revenues exceeding 30 million rubles must enable digital ruble payments; by July 2026, the threshold drops to 20 million rubles. Enterprises in areas without mobile phone or internet access may be exempted.
The bill aligns with a universal QR code system designed to streamline payments and enable seamless use of the digital ruble. Amendments to consumer protection laws will require merchant compliance to ensure broader adoption.
