The mass introduction of non-cash payment will ensure the transparency of trade, primarily on the Internet, where there is a large-scale shadow market, in which, among other things, counterfeit products are sold. The authors of the bill, obliging to accept bank cards for payment in all outlets, are sure of this.
The date from which all retail outlets and online stores will be required to accept credit cards for payment will be postponed by one and a half years. It is reported by RBC with reference to the chairman of the State Duma Committee on the Financial Market Anatoly Aksakov. According to him, the changes will take effect on January 1, 2023.
It should be noted that the current legislation prescribes only World cards to be paid for, and this requirement applies to all outlets with a turnover of 40 million rubles, except for those located in areas without access to the Internet.
The authors of the bill believe that the mass introduction of non-cash payments will ensure the transparency of trade, primarily on the Internet, where there is a large-scale shadow market, in which, among other things, they also sell counterfeit products.
At present, the ratio of cash and non-cash payments in the retail market is approximately equal to 50 to 50. Such data are given by the Association of E-commerce Companies. In the turnover of online stores, the share of non-cash payments is 60–75%, the remaining part is occupied by cash payments. There are more than 40 thousand online stores in Russia.
The share of stores that do not provide the possibility of cashless payment is insignificant, said Sergey Kuznetsov, director of the Union of Independent Networks of Russia. All retailers accept credit cards, and they account for at least 60% of the retail food market.
“In order for all trade organizations to offer buyers the possibility of payment by bank cards, the acquiring rate should be reduced, ” said Sergei Belyakov, chairman of the presidium of the Association of Retail Companies.
Analysts predict the ruble exchange rate 10 percent decline due to sanctions
The cost of the dollar can rise to 75 rubles
Immediately after the first news of the upcoming sanctions, the ruble positions on the Moscow Stock Exchange began to decline rapidly . With further pressure on the situation, the American currency will continue to grow, and it will be noticeable. The forecast was given by financial analysts.
Against the background of reports of new sanctions against Russia, the fall in the ruble exchange rate may exceed 10%. In particular, the cost of one dollar can grow to 75 rubles. Such a forecast on Thursday, February 14, is quoted by URA.RU with reference to the analyst of the Kalita Finance group, Dmitry Golubovsky.
– In fact, they do not make real strikes in Russia. First, it is announced that the sanctions will be introduced, and speculation begins around the question of whether they will be introduced or not, ”Golubovsky said.
According to his estimates, the ruble exchange rate, which had already begun to fall the previous evening , will continue to decline to “the level to which it has already been sent by such threats.” That is, up to 70, and when forcing the situation up to 75 rubles for one unit of American currency.
We add that the Central Bank of the Russian Federation raised the official rates for February 15: the euro over the past day rose by 65.99 kopecks – up to 75.04 rubles. The dollar will cost 66.54 rubles (+ 86.46 kopecks).
New US sanctions: Russians warned about blocking bank cards
Experts gave recommendations on how to avoid negative consequences.
Expecting a negative scenario, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation last year advised banks working with payment systems not directly to find spare sponsoring banks that could serve their cards. Such a “reserve” may be needed when disconnecting the current sponsoring bank from the international payment systems Visa and Mastercard.
The US plans to introduce a new, tougher package of sanctions against Russia have been reported since the end of last year. As it became known on the eve, a group of US senators introduced the corresponding bill . The formal reason for its consideration was the incident in the Kerch Strait.
Expecting such a scenario, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation previously gave recommendations to small banks working with payment systems not directly – to find spare sponsoring banks that could serve their cards. Such a “reserve” may be needed when disconnecting the current sponsoring bank from the international payment systems Visa and Mastercard.
These restrictions will not affect payments within the country – calculations are carried out through the National Payment Card System. But abroad, Russian bank cards will not work.
“This is not about all Russian banks, although there are large ones among those that may encounter these restrictions,” said Alexey Korenev, an analyst at Finam.
In addition, there is an option with opening an account in a foreign bank. But there is no guarantee that such an alternative will work for sure.
– Orient on the reliability of foreign banks is even more difficult. Besides, paying for the annual maintenance of plastic when traveling abroad 1-2 times a year is also not very convenient, ”notes Ekaterina Martsukova, head of banking products analysis at Banks.ru.
She estimates that cash or cards of international payment systems other than Visa or Mastercard, such as JCB (a payment system created in Japan), will be a good safety net.