Category: Russian Economy

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Companies will be able to make payments in digital rubles based on registers—simultaneous credits to a large number of recipients in a single transfer. This method will be used for paying salaries, settling accounts with suppliers for goods, paying taxes for employees, and so on. This and other innovations are included in draft instructions of the Bank of Russia, which is published for public discussion.

Register-based payments speed up payment transfers, avoid errors in payment details by eliminating the need to enter them individually for each recipient, and significantly simplify document flow and accountants' work. Companies and individuals participating in the digital ruble pilot will be the first to try out the service.

In addition, the platform's rules are supplemented by a new chapter that describes the legal basis for cross-border settlements in central bank digital currencies.

Comments and suggestions regarding the draft directive will be accepted until March 6 inclusive.

As a reminder, the digital ruble is a new form of national currency. It is issued in addition to cash and non-cash funds. Basic transactions with the digital national currency are currently only available to pilot participants. Wider use of the digital ruble will begin in September 2026. Major banks and retailers will be required to provide their infrastructure for this. Citizens will be able to use digital rubles at their own discretion.

Preview photo: SERGEI ILNITSKY / EPA / TASS

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

In January, prices rose more than in December in all regions except the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, where price growth slowed, and Kamchatka Krai, where prices rose as much as in December.

The increase is primarily due to increases in VAT, excise taxes, regulated tariffs, and fees. Furthermore, due to additional costs during severe frosts, including heating costs, vegetable prices in most regions increased significantly after an unusually low increase in November-December 2025. Also, in many regions, tariffs for housing services, public transportation, communications services, and cultural organizations increased due to one-time indexation.

According to the Bank of Russia's estimates, inflation will decline once these factors have been exhausted. This will be facilitated by monetary policy. According to the forecast, inflation will fall to 4.5–5.5% in 2026, reach 4% in 2027, and stabilize at the target thereafter.

For more information on inflation in each region, please seeinformation and analytical materials.

Preview photo: Kirill Kukhmar / TASS

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Bank of Russia finalized a new methodology for identifying systemically important credit institutions (SICIs) taking into account market opinion. What has changed in relation to initial concept:

Bank investments in securities backed by securitized consumer loans are included in the "Consumer Portfolio" component of the summary result (initially, only loans were taken into account); relationships with non-bank financial institutions are taken into account in the differentiating criterion "Potential consequences of the domino effect on the interbank lending market" (calculated only for the interbank lending market); legal entities and sole proprietors are included in the assessment of the differentiating criterion "Size of the client base" (calculated only for individuals); the "Regional importance" indicator has been transferred to the differentiating criteria (assessed as part of the components of the summary result).

The regulator plans to publish a draft regulation outlining a new methodology for assessing regulatory impact in the first half of 2027, and to compile a list of SZKOs based on it in the fall of 2027. Differentiated capital adequacy ratios for systemic importance are planned to be introduced over several years, tentatively beginning in 2028.

Preview photo: Scorpp / Shutterstock / Fotodom

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

An international extended session on information security was held at the Ural Forum "Cybersecurity in Finance." It brought together cybersecurity specialists from central banks and financial market regulators from 16 countries.

"I'm pleased that our meetings have become a tradition. This is another opportunity to discuss trends in information security and share experiences in combating cyberfraud. We all understand that the safety and well-being of our citizens depend on our effective work," noted German Zubarev, Deputy Governor of the Bank of Russia.

Participants discussed measures to combat cyber fraud, the need to exchange information on cyber incidents, current trends in cyber threats, including the use of deepfakes, as well as the safe use of artificial intelligence technologies and the implementation of digital financial technologies.

Particular attention was paid to strengthening international cooperation and developing joint practical solutions to improve the financial sector's information security. Following the meeting, the participants confirmed their commitment to further joint collaboration in the area of cybersecurity.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.