Bank of Russia to pay banks 0.67 rubles per digital-ruble payroll instruction from January 1, 2027

Russia plans to pay commercial banks for processing payroll via the Bank of Russia’s digital ruble platform, aiming to boost usage of the CBDC among consumers. The central bank said banks will receive 67 kopecks ($0.67) per payroll instruction starting January 1, 2027. The move is part of a multi-year rollout that has already included an initial government salary payment in digital rubles. Officials expect incentives and new bulk-payment tools to drive banks to market digital-ruble payroll services to corporate clients.