# Curiosity Tops Stated Reasons for Opening Russia’s Digital Ruble Accounts, Poll Finds

By Riza Dagoc

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/regulation/37180
Published: 2026-10-21T23:44:26.000Z
Updated: 2026-10-21T23:44:26.000Z
Section: Regulation

> VTB surveyed 1,500 Russians in October. Respondents also named cashback, broader merchant acceptance and offline payments as potential reasons to use the currency regularly.

A survey of 1,500 Russians found curiosity was the most frequently stated reason for opening a digital ruble account, while the poll also recorded limited activity after account opening and requests for features that could encourage regular use.

VTB conducted the survey in October. Among people who chose to open an account, 42% cited wanting to try something new. Respondents also cited opening an account through a banking app (36%), free transfers (33%) and a recommendation from an acquaintance (21%).

The poll put at 35% the share of people whose activity was limited to opening an account. It separately recorded that one in five had received a digital-ruble transfer or funded a wallet, while 17% said they had paid at a physical store.

Asked what could encourage regular use, 54% named cashback or discounts. More merchant acceptance was cited by 42%, and 38% wanted the option to pay offline.

The digital ruble is Russia’s central bank digital currency and a third form of the country’s currency alongside cash and commercial-bank balances. It is held on the Bank of Russia’s platform. Individuals can access it through apps at participating banks and choose whether to use it.

Russia began broad rollout on Sept. 1, following pilot testing that started in 2023. Individual payments and transfers are free. The digital ruble earns no interest or cashback, while merchant acceptance is being phased in through 2028. The survey’s requests for rewards and wider acceptance point to features that are not broadly available through the system today.

Offline payments were unavailable as of Oct. 12. In an interview that day, Bank of Russia Deputy Governor Zulfia Kakhrumanova said, “There isn't offline payment yet.” She said the central bank planned to test an offline-payment prototype with a small group before expanding it.