OREANDA-NEWS  Russian banks are mostly ready to implement the digital ruble from September 1, but some may need more time, Alla Bakina, director of the Bank of Russia's National payment system department, told reporters on the sidelines of SPIEF.

"We have been preparing for September 1 for a long time together with the banks and are moving very confidently. All our major banks, 12 of them, are already ready and connected, and they are providing them to their customers, while in pilot mode... We have an additional 9 banks that are significant in the payment services market. Many of them are doing well at a good pace, keeping up, connecting and completing their work," she said.

Bakina added that there is a possibility that literally several banks, 1-2 at most, may not fully complete preparations for the introduction of the digital ruble by September 1. "Simply due to the fact that they acquired this status based on the results of an analysis of their activities on our part, following the results of 2025, and they just objectively need a little more time," she explained.