Belarus is moving closer to putting crypto banks into operation. Roman Golovchenko, head of the National Bank, said all key decisions linked to Decree No. 19 should be ready by July 2, 2026. BelTA reported the update after a working meeting in Minsk, while Reform.news said the first approved list could contain about 25 digital assets.
Initial list may cover Bitcoin, Ether, and stablecoins
The current plan is to complete a full regulatory framework before summer. Golovchenko said the National Bank and the Hi-Tech Park secretariat must finalize the required decisions by July 2. Bank teams also need a clear process to assess and handle applications from companies seeking entry into the digital bank register. This is not being framed as a loose pilot. Belarus is building a bank-style system with formal review procedures and entry standards.
According to Reform.news, First Deputy Chairman Aliaksandr Yahorau said the first stage may allow work with around 25 cryptocurrencies. The draft list includes stablecoins as well as major assets such as Bitcoin and Ether. Yahorau added that the list could still expand or contract as market conditions change. He also said there is no current plan for a ruble stablecoin, because the digital Belarusian ruble remains the state’s primary step in this area.
Decree No. 19 sets the legal base and a two-layer control model
The legal structure was put in place earlier. BelTA said President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed Decree No. 19 on January 16. Under the decree, a digital bank is defined as a joint-stock company that can combine token-related business with banking, payments, and related financial services. A company that wants to enter this market must be a resident of the Hi-Tech Park and also be listed in the National Bank register.
That creates a two-layer control system for market entry. BelTA also reported that about 60% of the National Bank’s measures are already in draft or final form. The main items still under work are the asset list, the types of permitted transactions, accounting rules, and prudential standards. Yahorau said the Hi-Tech Park supervisory board is expected to review a document on digital-asset use rules in mid-April.
Applications have not opened yet as attention shifts to implementation
No major public application has been filed so far. Reform.news said companies cannot apply until the legal process is fully completed. Even so, officials said interest is already strong, largely from local investors and some groups with foreign backing. Earlier comments from the National Bank also pointed to possible future services such as digital-asset-backed loans, digital asset cards, deposits, and even crypto salary payments for some users.
The next phase will be decided by implementation details. The final list of coins, accounting treatment, safety checks, and approval procedures will determine whether Belarus crypto banks become a working financial model or remain mostly a legal framework. That makes the July 2 deadline a key date for watching how the country brings law, banking, and digital assets under one supervised structure.