The State Duma Committee on the Financial Market recommended that the lower house of parliament adopt in the first reading a bill on the phased introduction of the digital ruble into wide circulation, as well as on the introduction of a universal QR code into the payment system to pay for goods and services. It is reported by TASS.
Retail will have to spend billions of rubles on adapting the new format (for adaptation or purchasing millions of devices with the function of accepting digital rubles) only at the stage of compliance with the law without a guarantee that this payment format will be in demand by the masses. Moreover, this will have to be done in a limited time, AMarkets leading analyst Igor Rastorguev emphasizes.
Integrative solutions from third-party IT companies are likely to appear, but a seamless transition will mean even greater costs. So, equipping one cashier’s workplace with a cashier, scanner and scales costs 60-100 thousand rubles. Plus, you will have to retrain cashiers to work in accordance with changes in legislation, the expert emphasizes.
Let us also remind you that a fine is now provided for refusing to accept cards in the event of such a technical opportunity for business (now cards are accepted not everywhere, despite the obligation under the law). Obviously, the refusal to accept digital rubles should lead to the same unpleasant consequences, which means that it will be necessary to amend the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation, the analyst adds.
“We predict that while business will not be punished with a fine for non-compliance with the rule, companies, especially small ones, will postpone the transition until the end. We also do not exclude that if a large mass of retail is not ready, the deadlines will continue to be postponed by law. As for banks, their readiness is clearly greater, and their systems are almost ready for this transition, ” Igor Rastorguev sums up.