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Belarus Establishes State-Supervised 'Cryptobanks' With Decree No. 19

Licensed joint-stock firms in the High‑Tech Park must join a central bank register under non‑bank rules.

Overview

  • President Alexander Lukashenko signed the measure on Jan. 16, creating a legal framework for token-focused institutions.
  • Entities may combine digital‑token operations with payments, deposits, loans, and transfers within a regulated model.
  • Participation is limited to High‑Tech Park residents that are entered in the National Bank’s dedicated cryptobank register.
  • Oversight is dual, requiring compliance with non‑bank credit and financial regulations and implementation of High‑Tech Park supervisory decisions.
  • The step reinforces Belarus’s shift to onshore, state‑approved platforms after blocks on several foreign exchanges, with registry setup and implementation now pending.