Belarus Authorizes Cryptobanks with New Financial Framework
- President Lukashenko authorizes cryptobank framework, linking tokens with traditional banking.
- Dual oversight aims for efficient merging of digital tokens with banking services.
- Framework enhances Belarus’s IT status amid existing crypto strategy.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has signed Decree No. 19 on January 16, 2026, creating legal grounds for ‘cryptobanks’ integrating digital token and traditional banking operations.
The decree positions Belarus as a progressive fintech hub under dual regulatory oversight, potentially influencing market dynamics and encouraging modernized banking solutions.
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has signed a decree establishing a legal framework for cryptobanks. These entities will integrate digital token operations with traditional banking services, marking a significant step in the country’s cryptocurrency regulatory landscape. According to Lukashenko, “Dual regulation will allow a crypto bank to offer clients innovative financial products that combine the advantages of traditional banking operations with the technological efficiency, speed, and convenience of digital token transactions.” BelTA
Under Decree No. 19 Belarus Establishes Legal Framework for Cryptobanks, cryptobanks are required to register as High-Tech Park (HTP) residents. This regulation combines oversight from the National Bank of Belarus and the HTP to facilitate innovative financial products and ensure compliance with established financial norms.
The decree’s effects include an expected boost in hybrid financial products that leverage both blockchain technology and conventional banking. This move aligns with Belarus’s ongoing efforts to create a modern financial ecosystem responsive to sanction-driven demand.
Financial implications include the need for cryptobanks to meet compliance standards similar to non-bank institutions, such as capital adequacy and anti-money laundering protocols. The emphasis is on creating a controlled environment for crypto operations within Belarus’s financial sector.
The regulatory framework reinforces Belarus’s reputation as an IT and fintech hub. The move is viewed as a continuation of the country’s UKAZ on Cryptobanks and Tokens Signed by President 2017 crypto-friendly policies and is expected to aid in reducing gray market activity through state oversight.
Insights into financial and technological outcomes suggest that such integration could position Belarus as a leader in digital financial innovation. Historical trends indicate a commitment to enhancing crypto operations amid external pressures, with technology and compliance taking center stage.
