Belarus has taken a significant step toward cryptocurrency integration within its formal financial system. On January 16, 2026, President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed Decree No. 19, titled "On Crypto Banks and Certain Issues of Control in the Sphere of Digital Tokens," granting official legal status to crypto banks in the country.
The decree formally defines a crypto bank as a joint-stock company authorized to combine digital token operations with traditional banking, payment, and related financial services. These institutions will be able to offer products such as deposits, loans, and trading that integrate blockchain-based instruments alongside conventional financial operations, allowing customers to manage both digital and traditional funds under one roof.
To operate, a crypto bank must hold resident status within Belarus's High-Tech Park (HTP)—a special economic zone established in 2017 to encourage blockchain innovation—and be included in a dedicated registry maintained by the National Bank of Belarus. The regulatory framework introduces a dual oversight structure: crypto banks must comply with legislation for non-bank credit institutions and adhere to decisions issued by the Supervisory Board of the High-Tech Park.
This move builds upon Belarus's earlier crypto exemptions within the HTP and aligns with the country's ambition to establish itself as a leader in financial technology in Eastern Europe. Officials state the framework is designed to balance innovation with financial stability, allowing crypto banks to deliver technologically advanced services while maintaining regulatory standards comparable to traditional institutions.
The development signals accelerating sovereign adoption of cryptocurrency. Analysts suggest it may attract blockchain businesses and investors to Belarus, increasing regional competition as governments explore ways to integrate digital assets. Bitcoin's price was noted to be hovering around $95,000 shortly after the announcement, with market observers highlighting a bullish response. Crypto banks in Belarus are expected to launch operations later in 2026.
This decree follows other crypto-friendly initiatives from Belarus, including President Lukashenko's November 2025 announcement positioning crypto mining as a strategic pathway for reducing global dollar dependency, leveraging the country's surplus nuclear power capacity.
