Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has issued an ultimatum to his government, demanding immediate implementation of comprehensive cryptocurrency regulations following a damning state audit. The unscheduled inspection by the State Control Committee revealed that approximately half of all monetary assets sent by Belarusian investors to foreign crypto platforms fail to return to the country.
The audit uncovered significant violations in financial operation registrations and exposed what Lukashenko called an unacceptable situation for national economic security. During a high-level government conference on September 5, 2025, the president expressed frustration that his 2023 instructions for comprehensive digital token and cryptocurrency regulation remained unimplemented, with no approved documents reaching his desk.
Currently, cryptocurrency oversight falls under the Hi-Tech Park (HTP) operating under Digital Economy Development Ordinance No. 8, which Lukashenko now deems inadequate. The president called for "transparent rules of the game and mechanisms for control" that would guarantee financial stability and security for the state, citizens, and private sector while allowing legitimate commercial entities and foreign investors to continue operating in Belarus's "digital haven."
This regulatory push builds upon Lukashenko's March directive calling for development of a state-led cryptocurrency mining industry. The new regulations are expected to establish a structured framework for all cryptocurrency operations, including trading, storage, exchange requirements, and service provider regulations, with traditional state agencies likely taking a more prominent role alongside the HTP.
