Digital Renminbi enters the interest era! Six major state-owned banks launch Renminbi interest rate calculation services

Starting from January 1, 2026, six major state-owned banks—Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, China Construction Bank, Bank of Communications, and Postal Savings Bank—will officially launch the interest calculation function for digital renminbi real-name wallets. This service marks an further expansion of application scenarios for digital renminbi, allowing users’ idle funds to also earn corresponding renminbi interest rates.

Real-Name Wallet Enjoys Savings Account Interest Rate, 0.05% Renminbi Rate Officially Launched

According to official announcements from each bank, the balance within the digital renminbi real-name wallet will accrue interest based on the bank’s posted savings account interest rate. Currently, the posted interest rate for savings accounts is uniformly 0.05%, which aligns with the current interest rate for commercial bank savings accounts. This means that funds stored in users’ digital renminbi real-name wallets in the future will earn interest at the same renminbi rate as traditional savings accounts.

Fixed Interest Calculation Cycle, End of Quarter on the 20th, Interest Paid on the 21st

According to Industrial and Commercial Bank of China’s specific explanation, the interest calculation rules for digital renminbi real-name wallets are exactly the same as those for savings accounts. The wallet operation institution will withhold interest tax (if applicable), ensuring that users receive after-tax interest income. Interest is calculated on the 20th of the last month of each quarter and officially credited on the 21st. If users close their accounts before the interest calculation date, the system will calculate interest at the posted savings account rate on the day of account closure up to the day before closure.

Real-Name and Anonymous Wallets Have Different Treatments, Only Three Types of Wallets Enjoy Interest Benefits

It should be noted that digital renminbi wallets are divided into four categories: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3 wallets are considered real-name wallets and are eligible for the interest calculation service introduced this time; Type 4 wallets are anonymous wallets and are not included in the interest calculation scope of any bank. Therefore, if users want to earn interest income on their digital renminbi balances, they need to ensure they are using real-name wallets; funds in anonymous wallets will not generate interest. This differentiated design not only meets users’ privacy protection needs but also provides more financial benefits for verified users.