In two months, more than 300,000 wallets for digital rubles were opened in Russia, but the initial surge has already subsided: in October, accounts were opened more than twice as rarely as in September. The dynamics point to a classic adoption curve, where a spike in interest gives way to a stage of organic, far slower growth.
Of the total number, almost 290,000 accounts belong to individuals. Another approximately 16,000 were opened by legal entities — their share remains modest for now, but it is the corporate segment that will determine the future infrastructure of settlements.
How many wallets were opened and how they are used
The digital ruble is the third form of the Russian national currency alongside cash and non-cash money. It is issued by the Bank of Russia.
Over two months, users conducted 235,000 transactions. Most often they did the following:
- topped up accounts;
- paid for goods;
- transferred money;
- paid taxes.
The main advantage of the service is cited as free transfers of any amount.
At the same time, the pace has slowed. In September, approximately 7,000 wallets were opened per day, in October — 3,000. A decline in the surge has been recorded. It will likely take several years for the digital ruble to become as popular as the Faster Payments System (FPS).
The Central Bank wants to interest users
Currently, the digital ruble is suitable only for settlements and does not generate income for owners. This may change. Deputy Chair of the Bank of Russia Zulfiya Kakhrumanova said at a Federation Council meeting that the regulator is studying the accrual of interest on such accounts. China serves as a reference point, where interest on digital yuan balances has been accrued since the beginning of 2026. No decision has been made yet.
The Central Bank also expects that cashback to buyers will begin to be paid directly by manufacturers and stores, not only by banks.
The scope of application is also expanding. Currently, payments in digital rubles are available to the federal budget. In mid-2027, regional and local budgets will be connected to it. Thirty-eight banks have already joined the platform.
Cryptalist analysis: The fading pace of wallet openings is a natural stage for any state CBDC: initial interest, fueled by novelty, gives way to real utility. The key driver of the second wave of adoption will not be retail users, but the expansion of use cases — from budget payments to the potential accrual of interest, which could turn the digital ruble from a settlement instrument into a full-fledged savings asset.