Russia's Treasury will accept budget payments in digital rubles from January 1, 2026, with the Central Bank projecting the currency could account for up to 5% of payment volumes within seven years, TASS reported on December 29.

Payers with digital wallets on the digital ruble platform can make budget payments using unique accrual identifiers, the Treasury stated on its Telegram channel.

"In order to implement the provisions of Federal Law No 303-FZ of July 31, 2025, 'On Amendments to the Budget Code of the Russian Federation,' the Russian Treasury, together with the Bank of Russia, has ensured the ability to receive revenues for the budgets of the Russian Federation's budget system using the Federal Treasury's digital ruble account," the Treasury stated.

Federal budgetary and autonomous institutions can also accept transfers in digital rubles.

Alla Bakina, director of the Central Bank's national payment system department, stated that the digital ruble will contribute to growth in non-card payment instruments' share of total cashless payments following broader implementation from September 2026.

"After this moment, within seven years the digital ruble will be able to account for up to 5% of payment volumes," Bakina stated in an interview with state news.

The digital ruble represents Russia's central bank digital currency initiative, joining countries including China, the European Union and several others developing or piloting similar systems.

Mass implementation is scheduled for September 2026, with initial budget payment acceptance beginning six months earlier.

The move forms part of Russia's broader financial infrastructure modernisation efforts amid Western sanctions that have restricted access to international payment systems.