Bank of Russia to Pilot CBDC in April

[Hydrogen]

Digital ruble payments will be launched for retail purchases and peer-to-peer transactions, a central bank official said.

The Bank of Russia's central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital ruble, is ready for its pilot phase, said the bank's deputy governor, Olga Skorobogatova, on Friday.

The project will be launched for peer-to-peer transfers between individuals and for retail purchases, Skorobogatova told journalists during a fintech conference in Russia. "The pilot will work on real operations for real people, but only for a limited number of them, with the 13 banks that have signaled they're ready," she said, according to Russian news agency TASS.

The central bank will pilot the CBDC with sets of selected clients, she added. After the pilot, the Bank of Russia will decide on the ways to expand the project, according to TASS.
Russia's central bank first proposed a CBDC project in October 2020 when it published a consultation paper outlining potential designs of the digital ruble. In later comments, the bank said the project can help decrease the Russian economy's dependency on the U.S. dollar and mitigate the impact of foreign sanctions on the country since its invasion of Ukraine.

The pilot was initially expected to go live in 2021 but provoked some concerns in the Russian banking community that rolling out infrastructure for the digital ruble will be burdensome for lenders and make the banking system more centralized and less diverse. The Bank of Russia later promised to modify the concept so that it doesn't hurt the traditional system.

https://www.coindesk.com/business/2023/02/17/bank-of-russia-to-pilot-cbdc-in-april/

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Interesting.

Russia's central bank first proposed a CBDC project in October 2020 when it published a consultation paper outlining potential designs of the digital ruble.

From the initial proposal to pilot program phase of russia's CBDC program in 2020, it appears 3 years have passed.

From pilot phase to full deployment of russia's CBDC, an additional span of years will be required. It is possible the war in ukraine will end, before russia's CBDC reaches mainstream.

It is known russia has sought to build a banking alternative to the SWIFT system since 2014. We are now seeing development time measured in a span of years with some CBDCs. Venezuela's petro CBDC which still has not materialized despite its initial proposals 5 years ago may serve as a good example.

[o48o]

I am really skeptical if they would make any sensible pilot program working.
But even if they would get it working i wonder if anyone would want to touch it as any proper CBDC needs KYC:ing and most likely people from "unfriendly" countries and members of opposition, people with wrong opinions about Kremilin would instantly get their CBDC rubles frozen and confiscated.

[Hispo]

Is not it Russia a country whose internet access is not good for the population who live in the center of the country or in the far east of the country?

I assume if it is the case, the implementation of the CBDC in Russia will only be a reality for those who live in the western part of the country and in big enough cities.


Also, the Venezuelan Petro was not a CBDC, it was some sort of centralized token allegedly backed by oil.

[Argoo]

I am really skeptical if they would make any sensible pilot program working.
But even if they would get it working i wonder if anyone would want to touch it as any proper CBDC needs KYC:ing and most likely people from "unfriendly" countries and members of opposition, people with wrong opinions about Kremilin would instantly get their CBDC rubles frozen and confiscated.

Russia has been living under ever-increasing international sanctions for almost a year now, and this leaves an imprint on all aspects of the state’s activities, and above all its banking system, given that almost all Russian banks are now disconnected from the SWIFT international payment system. Therefore, they are looking for a way out of the difficult current situation that arose due to the military attack on Ukraine.
At the same time, if the emergence of CBDC in other countries is a completely new and relatively risky project, then in Russia it is doubly risky. And yet little is known about him. Even whether it will use blockchain technology. Of course, the digital ruble can be used in international settlements where it is difficult to do this due to the shutdown of SWIFT. But let's see how it will be in practice.

[Uruhara]

This means that there are already 2 countries that will conduct CBDC trials in April. namely Russia and Japan.¹
it seems that several countries are indeed motivated to develop and test CBDCs more quickly in 2023. And the Russian state will certainly be even more massive in this regard. because it was motivated by various sanctions imposed on Russia.²

Maybe in this case, Nigeria has already taken the initial step of adopting CBDCs than other countries. although it is said that the adoption rate of CBDC there is running slowly. but it looks like it's going pretty well.³

But in terms of the speed at which digital money adoption (CBDC) spreads it looks like China will have the upper hand. because China has always had strong ambitions and always wanted to be ahead of anything. including in the progress of CBDC adoption they are doing on their currency i.e. Digital Yuan (e-CNY)⁴.

but in my own country, namely Indonesia, it seems that there is still no further news regarding the development of this CBDC. so of course I doubt whether there will be a trial run this year.

but at least hundreds of countries are currently competing in the development of CBDCs. and let's see if the trials that Russia and Japan are doing will be successful. because these two countries seem to be conducting trials in the same month and year, namely April 2023.

-------------------------------
Reference :
1. https://www.liputan6.com/crypto/read/5211451/jepang-bakal-luncurkan-uji-coba-yen-digital-pada-april-2023?source=amp-baca-juga
2. https://pintu.co.id/news/21678-alasan-rusia-adopsi-cbdc-di-tengah-perang
3. https://id.beincrypto.com/pengguna-cbdc-nigeria-baru-capai-05-persen-dari-total-penduduk/
4. https://id.beincrypto.com/sejumlah-negara-percepat-adopsi-cbdc-pada-tahun-2023/

[Kakmakr]

I do not know why so many people are so skeptical that Russia might be able to pull this off, because they have some of the most capable hackers in this world.    (I am not Russian and I am not a Russian supporter, but I think they have a good chance of doing this)

We can expect huge resistance against all other Crypto currencies, once this is in place.. because Vladimir Putin are very good at eliminating the competition. (sometimes he even use poison) 

[_BlackStar]

I don't know how likely it is that the Russians succeed in developing their planned CBDC and become something new that is of interest. Several other countries have stated the same, and we will likely hear more of these announcements from other countries if Russia and a few others have enough success with CBDCs.

Of course I don't think this has anything to do with Russia's current political situation, but they may be trying to take advantage of the technological developments of the financial system. CBDC will probably be very popular because it is the same financial system as fiat even though it is developed differently. It will be interesting to know how this CBDC supports more people getting involved in the crypto space in the following years.

[avikz]

I am really skeptical if they would make any sensible pilot program working.
But even if they would get it working i wonder if anyone would want to touch it as any proper CBDC needs KYC:ing and most likely people from "unfriendly" countries and members of opposition, people with wrong opinions about Kremilin would instantly get their CBDC rubles frozen and confiscated.

That's what the governments want around the world! They want to have absolute control on their citizens financial data. Fiat still has some certain degrees of anonymity. But with CBDC, that little bit of anonymity will be permanently gone! Government can do whatever they want! It can be anything from freezing funds to arresting people over high value transactions.

The first country to successfully pilot CBDC was China. One of those authoritarian governments. So the gameplan is very clear!

[NeuroticFish]

Russia desperately needs means for the various countries pay for the gas and oil they still manage to sell. And if those payment methods are under the radar, even better.
However, a digital Ruble is imho not the best way forward, since those states will clearly be wary about a coin controlled by Russia both as infrastructure and value. Bitcoin or Monero would have been much better suited for the job.

And related to the population.. we see most of the Russians do whatever they're told to do. So CBDCs for population will be a great success (if no notable errors will be there and some hackers will become billionaires overnight).

[Ucy]

It likely became necessary due to the sanctions and the need to easily trade with foreign countries without using the dollars.
Well, it's nice this is going through the pilot phase. It's better to learn from there than implementing it fully with little/no experience or knowledge.

It's important they assume that the sanctions will never be lifted and continue to develop ways to survive and thrive in it. I however don't think Russia will let them take back the regions that have been annexed, which will be against their conditions or requirements for lifting parts of the sanctions.

[Lucius]

Russia desperately needs means for the various countries pay for the gas and oil they still manage to sell. And if those payment methods are under the radar, even better.

Russia has been talking about digital currency for a long time, but I don't think it will be some kind of payment method that will help them trade with other countries - because realistically, despite all the sanctions, they manage to trade with countries like China, India or Iran.

And related to the population.. we see most of the Russians do whatever they're told to do. So CBDCs for population will be a great success (if no notable errors will be there and some hackers will become billionaires overnight).

It's no secret that CBDC only means more control over finances and the loss of all privacy for ordinary people, so I think that's the main goal. Ordinary people will have the least benefit from it, but as you say, in that country, ordinary people are not asked for their opinion, similarly to China.

[NotATether]

I can't see how interest in this from the average citizen will be anything greater than zero. Because it's still a Russian ruble, only in a digital form instead of notes. This will actually make it even less convenient for businesspeople because they have to interact with clients who may not use technology, whereas CDBC requires both parties to have a digital device in order to make any transactions.

Same goes for just about any other CDBC in the world.

[NeuroticFish]

I can't see how interest in this from the average citizen will be anything greater than zero. Because it's still a Russian ruble, only in a digital form instead of notes. This will actually make it even less convenient for businesspeople because they have to interact with clients who may not use technology, whereas CDBC requires both parties to have a digital device in order to make any transactions.

Same goes for just about any other CDBC in the world.

No, it's not the same everywhere in the world.
Let's say that the large companies, obviously friendly to the government, will give out the salaries as CBDCs (and this is easily possible in Russia and China). What would the people do?
Some few may move the funds ASAP into something else. But the most will just use/spend them as CBDCs on the daily basis, since "they said on TV that this is the future" and "they have nothing to hide", to give just two easy narratives.

[Smartprofit]

I can't see how interest in this from the average citizen will be anything greater than zero. Because it's still a Russian ruble, only in a digital form instead of notes. This will actually make it even less convenient for businesspeople because they have to interact with clients who may not use technology, whereas CDBC requires both parties to have a digital device in order to make any transactions.

Same goes for just about any other CDBC in the world.

No, it's not the same everywhere in the world.
Let's say that the large companies, obviously friendly to the government, will give out the salaries as CBDCs (and this is easily possible in Russia and China). What would the people do?
Some few may move the funds ASAP into something else. But the most will just use/spend them as CBDCs on the daily basis, since "they said on TV that this is the future" and "they have nothing to hide", to give just two easy narratives.

Of course, if you are paid wages in CBDC and CBDC is accepted in the country as payment for goods (works, services), then you will use CBDC.  

The problem is not the very existence of the CBDC as a national payment system.  The problem is that all CBDC alternatives can be banned and destroyed.  

This is what will make it possible to create a digital concentration camp within the country.  

I don't know if it is possible to create a full-fledged, stable CBDC system in Russia.  Russia is now making great efforts to militarize the economy and social life in the country.  

At the same time, the creation of a CBDC system requires large technological resources, which are difficult to find in the conditions of economic degradation.

[Die_empty]

It is known russia has sought to build a banking alternative to the SWIFT system since 2014. We are now seeing development time measured in a span of years with some CBDCs. Venezuela's petro CBDC which still has not materialized despite its initial proposals 5 years ago may serve as a good example.

I don't think Russia needs its CBDC to bypass SWIFT because the Chinese Cross-Border Interbank Payment System (CIPS)and Russian System for Transfer of Financial Messages (SPFS) are viable alternatives to Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT). Trading with Russian CBDC is like using the Ruble which is still facing so many sanctions. I think Russia would do anything to expand its economy and this can be achieved by diversification of its payment system and maximization of diverse economic opportunities. I think Russia has genuine motives for introducing it's own CBDC.

[Husires]

All that CBDC will offer to Russia is to reduce the cost of printing money, but I do not think that many will accept the idea of ​​transformation, especially at the present time, as the lack of confidence will be great, and the central bank is trying to impose control on all transactions.
If success is achieved in using CBDC, then the most important event is linking the currency with the currencies of other countries. If they succeed in establishing an integrated system with China, Brazil and South Africa, then we can say that it is a system that may have a future and that it is worth following up.

[dothebeats]

They might make for a good case study, but I doubt they will move so far into it. They really have a lot of serious economic problems internally and I don't think CBDCs will be a saving grace for Russia. First off they have to stop whatever they're doing and focus more in developing their relations with the rest of the world. Russia has slowly been restricting themselves as the ally of communist countries, and it's not really working out for them. Before developing a possibly successful CBDC, they have to fix Ruble and make it worth something rather than tank for the most part.

[DrBeer]

A perfect example of the implementation of what everyone was afraid of is the introduction of total financial control of its citizens in a totalitarian country that is preparing to close the "Iron Curtain" again. Not loyal to the ruling party - the money is blocked! I wrote something on the social network that does not correspond to propaganda - you are without money! I didn’t go to a rally in support of war and terrorism - your money wasted! Do you think how such solutions will be used in countries with a totalitarian regime?

By the way, I congratulate the Russian business as well. Let me explain The Kremlin hinted earlier that business should "help the country", that is, pay for the war and terrorism, and business should "collect" more than 300 billion rubles. Voluntarily... But when they assessed the loyalty of the business to the ruling gang, they realized that no one would help voluntarily. And yesterday they issued an order about "compulsory collection of aid" from the business And with the CBDC - even orders are not needed - just took and stole from the personal accounts of the business, as much as you lack for terrorism. Comfortable, very

[Argoo]

It likely became necessary due to the sanctions and the need to easily trade with foreign countries without using the dollars.
Well, it's nice this is going through the pilot phase. It's better to learn from there than implementing it fully with little/no experience or knowledge.

It's important they assume that the sanctions will never be lifted and continue to develop ways to survive and thrive in it. I however don't think Russia will let them take back the regions that have been annexed, which will be against their conditions or requirements for lifting parts of the sanctions.

The question is not that Russia wants to trade on the international market without using the dollar. It is generally very difficult for her to trade now, since almost all of her banks are cut off from the SWIFT payment system. If Russia issues and uses its own CBDCs, this solves practically nothing, since trading using the digital ruble also requires the involvement of the banking structures of both trading countries. In addition, now other countries do not want to trade with the help of Russian rubles, since this is a currency that is falling due to a failed war. Therefore, Russia's CBDC is unlikely to be successful in the international arena. After all, this is the same non-cash ruble.

[Smartprofit]

They might make for a good case study, but I doubt they will move so far into it. They really have a lot of serious economic problems internally and I don't think CBDCs will be a saving grace for Russia. First off they have to stop whatever they're doing and focus more in developing their relations with the rest of the world. Russia has slowly been restricting themselves as the ally of communist countries, and it's not really working out for them. Before developing a possibly successful CBDC, they have to fix Ruble and make it worth something rather than tank for the most part.

Since April 1, this project has been launched in Russia.  It is not yet clear how exactly this will be implemented, that is, it is not clear how exactly people will be selected for testing CBDC. 

I just wrote to the chat of one commercial bank, which, together with the Central Bank of Russia, is participating in this program.  Whatsapp bot forwarded my request to a human operator.  The person - the operator (having read the correspondence) also could not immediately answer me and asked for time to analyze the information. 

Now I'm waiting for a response from a representative of a commercial bank. 

P.S.  There is no official information about the start of the April testing program for the digital ruble by the bank's clients.