Belarus to allow self-employed workers to accept crypto payments through crypto banks

A new decree on crypto banks will allow freelancers to officially receive digital assets and pay taxes on them

Self-employed workers in Belarus to accept crypto payments

18.02.2026 - 11:10

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2 min

Key points:

Self-employed individuals will be allowed to officially accept cryptocurrency payments through crypto banks.
These banks will be supervised by the National Bank and the Hi-Tech Park (HTP).
When paying in stores, cryptocurrency will be automatically converted into Belarusian rubles.

Alexander Egorov, First Deputy Chairman of the National Bank of Belarus, said that self-employed individuals will be able to legally work with payments in digital assets. The key requirement is that transactions must be processed through the newly established crypto bank infrastructure.

Previously, freelancers working with foreign clients were unable to officially report income received in cryptocurrency. They could not deposit such funds into bank accounts or pay taxes on them. According to Egorov, the new mechanism removes this restriction.

Belarus is launching a state-regulated cryptobank

The initiative aims to strengthen the country's position in financial technology.

How crypto banks will operate

The legal framework for their creation is set out in Decree No. 19, signed on January 16, 2026. A crypto bank may be established as a joint-stock company combining operations with digital assets and traditional financial services.

To qualify, the entity must be a resident of the Hi-Tech Park and be included in the National Bank’s registry. The regulator will oversee licensing and capital requirements, while the Hi-Tech Park will conduct technical assessments, including reviews of source code, platform resilience, and encryption standards.

Egorov said crypto banks will also be able to issue payment cards. Account balances may be held in cryptocurrency, but when making purchases at regular retail outlets, digital assets will be automatically converted into Belarusian rubles at the current exchange rate.

The National Bank emphasized that crypto banks will remain under full state supervision. According to the regulator, the use of blockchain technology combined with regulatory oversight will ensure transaction transparency.

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