The Bank of Russia has signed agreements with another 17 Russian lenders to join its trials for a central bank digital currency (CBDC), bringing the total to 30. 

In a press statement on January 31, the central bank said that “13 banks, nearly 600 people, as well as almost 30 trading and service companies” were now involved in testing operations for the digital ruble. 

The central bank did not give any indication of when the 17 banks would be joining the trials, which began last August.

Some of the