Russia is considering the use of the digital ruble as one of the ways to settle transactions with China. This way will bypass sanctions placed by western countries, which included the removal of Russian banking institutions from the SWIFT system.
The use of central bank digital currencies (CBDC's) is controversial because it removes anonymity from transactions. So far, the plans are to use the digital ruble in international transactions, but its use for the general public may come next, posing questions regarding privacy and control by central banks.
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