Belarus Opens Door To Crypto Banks With New Presidential Decree
Belarus took a significant step on January 16, 2026, when President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed Decree No. 19 to set guidelines for so-called “cryptobanks.” The transfer creates a transparent authorized spot for corporations that need to combine token providers with traditional banking and cost work.
Decree Defines Cryptobanks And Rules
According to the decree, a cryptobank is a joint-stock firm which will perform token operations alongside banking, cost and different monetary providers.
Reports have disclosed that these companies should be residents of the Belarus High-Tech Park (HTP) and shall be listed in a particular register stored by the National Bank.
The new doc ties cryptobank standing to HTP residency, which goals to pay attention exercise inside a recognized tech zone. That requirement additionally means the HTP’s guidelines will play a task in day by day oversight.
Requirements For Market Entry
Based on reports from regulators, cryptobanks will face twin supervision: oversight from each the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus and the HTP’s governing our bodies. This twin construction is supposed to let token providers develop whereas maintaining nearer management of economic dangers.
Officials say cryptobanks will observe lots of the guidelines that apply to non-bank credit score and monetary organizations, together with requirements for capital, threat controls and anti-money-laundering checks.
That suggests candidates might want to present sturdy compliance programs earlier than being accepted into the register.
Belarus: Short-Term Business Plans
National Bank officers stated that the decree might be adopted by actual market steps quick. Aliaksandr Yahorau, the First Deputy Chairman of the National Bank, stated Belarus may see its first operating cryptobank inside six months after legal guidelines and guidelines are aligned.
He added that cryptobanks might be able to subject loans secured by cryptocurrency, present cost playing cards linked to crypto accounts, and permit self-employed individuals to obtain salaries in tokens.
What Comes Next For Belarus
The decree builds on earlier efforts to draw tech and crypto enterprise to Belarus, and it clearly indicators a state curiosity in bringing token exercise underneath formal management.
The subsequent steps will embrace drafting implementing guidelines, creating the particular registry on the National Bank, and deciding capital and licensing thresholds for candidates.
Featured picture from Unsplash, chart from TradingView
