Russians are not interested in the digital ruble, says Sberbank.

There's no strong demand for the digital ruble among Russians; it's only of interest to the Central Bank itself, says Taras Skvortsov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board and Chief Financial Officer of Sberbank.

There's no clear mass interest—interest is primarily coming from the Central Bank of Russia, while market participants, corporate and private clients, and financial institutions aren't showing any activity that could stimulate widespread use of the Central Bank's digital currency, said a top manager at the largest state-owned bank.

"I don't want to give precise estimates right now, but in my opinion, the share of the digital ruble will, at best, amount to tenths of a percent of turnover and won't have a significant impact," Skvortsov said in an interview with TASS.

A Sberbank representative lamented that funds converted into digital rubles are effectively being withdrawn from circulation and remain isolated in Central Bank accounts, while banks are deprived of the opportunity to deposit them.

"Essentially, they're leaving the economy. So, we'll see how the situation develops." "It's good that the digital ruble is already being launched and will no longer be the 'elephant in the room': it will come to light, and we'll see who's happy about it," the deputy chairman said.

It was previously reported that iPhone owners would be unable to access the digital ruble wallet because they would be unable to update Russian bank apps in the App Store due to sanctions. Meanwhile, starting Tuesday, September 1, 12 banks recognized by the Central Bank as systemically important are expected to provide access to the digital ruble. These include Sberbank, VTB, Alfa-Bank, T-Bank, Gazprombank, and Promsvyazbank. Moreover, the digital ruble wallet must be integrated not into a separate app (for example, from a third-party developer or the Central Bank itself), but into a section within the banking app.