The new form of national currency — the digital ruble — is approaching the stage of mass adoption, but the level of public trust in it remains far from unconditional. According to the latest data, only 18% of Russians express complete trust in this payment instrument. Another 44% rather trust it, which together gives 62% of respondents with a positive or conditionally positive attitude. However, 24% of respondents have not yet decided, and 14% are skeptical or do not trust the new technology at all.
The study, covering 3,000 people, identified the most in-demand use cases for the digital ruble. The leader was receiving government payments — this option was supported by 35% of participants. In second place was paying taxes and fines (24%), and rounding out the top three were purchases in online stores (15%). Notably, 19% of respondents are ready to pay with digital rubles at regular store checkouts. Transfers between citizens remain a niche scenario — only 7%.
Security is a key factor
The issue of security provokes polarizing opinions. More than half of the respondents (56%) believe that the digital ruble will be safer than conventional bank cards and transfers via the Faster Payments System (SBP). The reasoning is simple: control by the Bank of Russia and enhanced protection of transactions on the regulator's unified platform. One in four believes that the level of protection will remain roughly the same as it is now. However, 17% fear technical failures and data leaks — and these concerns are not unfounded, given the scale of digitalization.
A critically important condition for 71% of citizens is the ability to open a wallet through their bank's mobile app. This underscores that the success of implementation directly depends on seamless integration into already familiar financial services.
Technical readiness and voluntariness
The head of the Bank of Russia, Elvira Nabiullina, confirmed readiness for mass launch starting September 1, 2026: banks and large commercial enterprises are technically prepared, and all processes are fine-tuned. The regulator is also discussing the possibility of opening wallets on the balance sheets of the banks themselves, rather than just the Central Bank, which should simplify access for users.
It is important to emphasize: the use of the digital ruble remains entirely voluntary. Rumors about forced pension payments or the resetting of savings are unfounded. Mobile banking apps will simply have a new line for opening an account, while familiar tools will continue to operate as before.
Expert opinion: The digital ruble is not a revolution, but an evolution of the payment system. The main challenge now is not technological, but psychological. While only 18% of the population is ready to fully trust the new form of money, the rest will need time and clear examples of security. The project's success will depend on how quickly the regulator can dispel fears and demonstrate real advantages — for instance, in the speed and transparency of government payments.