Russia’s Alfa-Bank begins testing biometric payment system called Vzglyad

Alfa-Bank has begun pilot testing a contactless payment system in which customers can complete purchases using facial recognition. The bank confirmed the launch through Moscow-based outlet Gazeta.ru, noting that internal staff using Android devices are the first participants in the closed trial. 

“Pay with your eyes,” or “Vzglyad,” is now being tested on Alfa-Bank’s own payment terminals before a planned expansion to its network. According to the company, the service relies on facial biometrics to authorize offline purchases to remove the need for cards, phones, or physical interactions with a terminal. 

The system reportedly analyzes biometric signals in real-time to prevent the possibility of triggering payments through static images or pre-recorded videos, and includes PIN code confirmation as a fallback option.

Alfa Bank begins facial scan payment authorization tests

Denis Osin, Alfa-Bank’s director of small and micro businesses, called the project Russia’s first biometric bioacquiring solution that was in tandem with payment system standards. The Vzglyad project was developed jointly with Russia’s National Payment Card System (NSPK) and uses facial identification as its primary authentication method. 

Osin said the bank hopes the new service will make everyday transactions “more profitable, convenient, and secure,” while also improving customer experience. He added that Alfa-Bank is open to working with other players in the payments industry to expand adoption of the technology.

The bank insisted that biometric data cannot be stolen or copied in a way that would compromise transactions and that user information is protected under the system’s internal safeguards. 

Alfa also mentioned that the underlying platform is also interoperable, so terminals from other market participants can connect to it without any specialized hardware, and bank cardholders will receive cashback incentives for purchases made through Vzglyad.

Digital ruble tests to continue in 2026 

As covered by Cryptopolitan last week, Russia is still testing its own central bank digital currency. The country’s Ministry of Finance told reporters that the digital ruble, first introduced in 2021 and formalized through legislation in 2023, will be optional for salary payments. 

Anton Tkachev, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy and Communications, said the government does not intend to make CBDC payments mandatory. He said workers and recipients will be free to accept or decline digital ruble transfers once inter-account transfers are allowed beginning January 2026.

Russia’s central bank has set September 1, 2026, as the target date for a full public launch of the digital ruble after phased trials in government transfers, business payments, and sectors such as transport and real estate. 

EU imposes new sanctions on Russian banks and payments

Alfa-Bank’s testing of biometric payments is unfolding just weeks after the European Union added sanctions on Russia’s financial institutions and energy exports. 

The bloc’s 19th sanctions package, which took effect on November 12, restricts Alfa-Bank, MTS Bank, Absolut Bank, and automaker Sollers. It also extends penalties to foreign subsidiaries of Alfa-Bank in Belarus and branches of VTB in Kazakhstan and Shanghai. 

The EU also announced that operations of the Mir payment system will be suspended in some parts of Europe starting November 25. Sanctions in the latest package also cover Russia’s industrial and defense industries, affecting firms like Rostec, KamAZ, Almaz-Antey, the United Aircraft Corporation, the United Shipbuilding Corporation, and Transmashholding. 

Moreover, the trading union extended its ban on importing Russian liquefied natural gas beginning January 1, 2027, and restricted short-term LNG deals within six months for oil majors Rosneft and Gazprom Neft.

The bloc also escalated its crackdown on Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” tankers allegedly used to circumvent oil price caps. The EU has now banned 117 more ships from accessing European ports and services, bringing the total to 557. 

Russian diplomats suspected of intelligence activity must now notify or seek permission before traveling between countries in the Schengen zone. The EU blacklisted the developer of Russia’s A7A5 stablecoin, eight foreign banks, and trading firms accused of helping Moscow evade sanctions. 

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the restrictions were intended to strain Russia’s ability to fund its full-scale invasion on Ukraine that began in 2022. “Every euro we deny Russia is one it cannot spend on war,” she said.

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