Russia, like many countries, has been developing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) - digital tokens issued by central banks - over the last couple of years in a bid to modernise its financial system and head off cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin. "We expect to test operations with real customers," the central bank's First Deputy Governor Olga Skorobogatova said on Wednesday. The pilot test will include opening digital wallets, making purchases with digital roubles and transfers between around 600 customers and 30 companies from 11 cities. The digital rouble is scheduled to be widely introduced in 2025. Next year, the central bank will expand the list of participants, with another 19 banks keen to join the pilot, Skorobogatova said.

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Persons: Maxim, Olga Skorobogatova, Skorobogatova, Elena Fabrichnaya, Alexander Marrow, Louise Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Council, Thomson Locations: Russia, Ukraine MOSCOW, Moscow, Caribbean, Nigeria, U.S, China, Ukraine