Bank of Russia's First Deputy Governor Departs; Digital Ruble Rollout Set for 2025
Olga Skorobogatova, the First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Russia, will depart on December 2. She oversaw the national payment system, IT, and financial technology, including the digital ruble CBDC. Her successor, Zulfiya Kakhrumanova, the central bank's IT director, will take over.
The digital ruble's mass rollout is planned for July 2025, with large banks obligated to support it. Initially, the rollout was set for January 2024, but this did not happen by October. The official introduction is scheduled for 2026, with extensive rollout between 2026 and 2028. The system will operate on digital wallets accessible via Russian bank apps and include controlled social benefit payments, particularly in occupied Ukrainian territories.
First Deputy Governor Dmitry Tulin will oversee the national payment system after Skorobogatova's departure. The rollout and operations will be supervised by the Central Bank of Russia and the Ministry of Finance, focusing initially on large-scale controlled environments before wider adoption.
Olga Skorobogatova's departure from the Bank of Russia will see Zulfiya Kakhrumanova take over her role. The digital ruble's rollout, initially delayed, is now planned for 2025. Its official introduction and extensive rollout will occur between 2026 and 2028, with oversight from the Central Bank and Ministry of Finance.
