A survey conducted by Rambler & Co, a prominent media group, reveals that roughly 41% of Russians believe the digital ruble will have a limited impact on daily life, while about 34% think it could complicate the financial system. The findings point to a nuanced view of the digital currency, where personal experience and financial literacy shape expectations.
Entrepreneurs emerge as a key area where the digital ruble is seen to offer tangible benefits. Nearly half of respondents, 49%, view it as a powerful tool to curb corruption, and 40% believe it could lower operating costs for legal entities. This signals a perception that digital currency could streamline business processes by reducing friction with authorities and cutting back on transaction overheads for companies.
Support for adoption is not uniform, but it is notable. A majority of Russians, 56%, expressed willingness to use the digital ruble. Among these potential users, 32% anticipate easier online shopping, and 24% expect improvements in saving and investment activities. These expectations underscore a belief that digital money could simplify everyday purchases and long term financial planning alike.
There is also a distinct pattern among those who remain undecided. A large portion, 85%, said they would prefer to see the technology rolled out more broadly before trying it themselves, while 15% indicated a readiness to test it as early as August 2023. The data suggests that comfort with new payment systems grows with broader adoption and familiarity across households and businesses.
The Rambler & Co analysts note another important trend: a large majority, 88%, do not use cryptocurrencies at all. Among the small minority that do, nearly 5% engage with crypto for entertainment or NFT activities, 4% use it to pay for purchases in both foreign and domestic online stores, and 3% pursue civil law actions using digital assets. This split highlights a cautious stance toward crypto and a clear preference for traditional payment rails among most respondents.
The survey was conducted using Rambler & Co resources from late July to early August in 2023, covering a broad cross section of Internet users. The results offer a snapshot of attitudes toward government backed digital money during a period of rapid payments evolution, and they provide a reference point for policymakers, financial institutions, and businesses contemplating digital currency strategies in larger markets such as Canada and the United States. The broader implications touch on regulatory design, consumer protection, cross border payments, and the potential for new financial services built around central bank digital currencies.
From a comparative standpoint, analysts emphasize that the reception of a central bank digital currency varies with the maturity of the financial system, the level of financial inclusion, and the availability of digital infrastructure. In markets outside Russia, including Canada and the United States, questions focus on how to integrate a digital ruble style instrument with existing banking networks, how to safeguard privacy while ensuring traceability, and how to maintain financial stability as users shift toward digital forms of money. Observers also consider how retailers and fintechs might adapt to a future where digital currencies become commonplace, including potential changes to payment timing, fraud risk management, and consumer incentives. The voting patterns seen in the Russian sample offer a framework for anticipating how similar populations could respond to a government backed digital currency in other big economies. The data underscores the need for clear communication, robust consumer protections, and scalable technology that can support broad adoption without disrupting traditional financial services. The research marks a step in understanding public sentiment as governments explore digital currencies in the real world, guiding preparation for policy, product, and platform development across North America.