MOSCOW, November 8. /TASS/. Testing of the digital ruble goes as planned and the pilot project will be expanded in 2024, Governor of the Bank of Russia Elvira Nabiullina told reporters.
"Testing is going as planned with numerous banks and individuals. Significant technology aspects and fundamental operations are being worked out. Next year, we intend to begin expanding this pilot in terms of both the number of participants and the types of operations. For the time being, our plans are to move to more extensive deployment, but only if we successfully complete all stages of the pilot testing," she said, adding that the project is very important for the Bank of Russia.
Nabiullina also stated that the regulator is in talks with a number of countries on cross-border transactions using the digital ruble, but so far no concrete decisions have been made. "Our systems are technologically ready to interact with the systems of other countries. We are negotiating with some countries, but this is a joint decision. Not only our goal is important, but also the desire of our international partners," she said.
On August 15, the Bank of Russia and a group of banks began testing operations using the digital ruble. Active operations will be tested in the first stage, including opening digital ruble wallets for banks and clients (individuals and legal entities), digital ruble transfers between clients, and payments at trade and service enterprises.
According to the regulator, around 600 individuals and 30 legal companies will take part in the testing project across eleven Russian cities.