Preparations for the introduction of the digital ruble continue in Belarus. According to Alexander Egorov, a representative of the National Bank of Belarus, the stage enabling test payments in the system is planned to be completed by July 1, 2026.

The initial stage will involve transactions without the actual movement of funds. The main objective is to develop use cases, including financing government projects and the use of smart contract mechanisms to control targeted expenditures.

At the same time, cross-border settlements are being developed as a complementary tool to existing payment systems. Once the necessary regulatory framework is adopted, a transition to pilot operation is planned.

Four banks—two state-owned and two private—are participating in the pilot project. Priority in the first stage is given to legal entities, as this is the segment in which the greatest practical impact from the introduction of the digital ruble is expected.