Russia Finance Ministry pays employee salaries in digital rubles for first time

Russia's Ministry of Finance paid some of its employees using digital rubles for the first time, Cointelegraph and bloomingbit reported. The ministry made the statement on Friday following the launch of voluntary payments on Thursday, October 1. [1][3]

The introduction of the central bank digital currency into the national budget process is being conducted jointly by the Bank of Russia and the Ministry of Finance, Cointelegraph reported. Participation in the digital ruble salary scheme remains voluntary for Russian citizens. [1]

The Ministry of Finance did not disclose the total payroll amount or how many employees received their salaries in digital rubles, according to Cointelegraph and bloomingbit. During earlier trials of federal budget spending in 2025, approximately 16 million digital rubles were involved. [1][3]

The Ministry of Finance of the Russian Federation is the government department responsible for financial policy and general management of financial matters in Russia. [4]