Russia has postponed the pilot program for its central bank digital currency originally scheduled to start on April 1

ChainCatcher news, according to TASS, Russia has postponed the central bank digital currency pilot originally scheduled to start on April 1 due to certain legislation potentially being delayed until early May. The upcoming pilot will involve actual operations and consumers, but on a limited scale, with banks entering the pilot alongside selected clients. After the first phase, the Bank of Russia intends to determine how to further expand the digital ruble.

In addition, the consumer CBDC pilot originally scheduled for 2024 has been moved up, as the Central Bank of Russia is seeking alternatives to the SWIFT payment system in light of Western economic sanctions against Russia. (source link)