Belarus Opens Door To Crypto Banks With New Presidential Decree

bitcoinistPublicado em 2026-01-17Última atualização em 2026-01-17

Resumo

Belarus has taken a significant step toward integrating cryptocurrency with traditional finance by issuing Presidential Decree No. 19, which establishes a legal framework for "cryptobanks." These entities, defined as joint-stock companies, will be permitted to conduct token operations alongside conventional banking and payment services. To operate, cryptobanks must be residents of the Belarus High-Tech Park (HTP) and will be registered in a special National Bank list. They will be subject to dual oversight from both the National Bank and HTP authorities, adhering to standards on capital, risk management, and anti-money laundering. Officials anticipate the first cryptobank could launch within six months, offering services such as crypto-backed loans, crypto-linked payment cards, and token salary payments for self-employed individuals. The move reinforces Belarus's strategy to formalize and attract digital asset businesses.

Belarus took a major step on January 16, 2026, when President Aleksandr Lukashenko signed Decree No. 19 to set rules for so-called “cryptobanks.” The move creates a clear legal spot for companies that want to mix token services with classic banking and payment work.

Decree Defines Cryptobanks And Rules

According to the decree, a cryptobank is a joint-stock company that may carry out token operations alongside banking, payment and other financial services.

Reports have disclosed that these firms must be residents of the Belarus High-Tech Park (HTP) and will be listed in a special register kept by the National Bank.

The new document ties cryptobank status to HTP residency, which aims to concentrate activity inside a known tech zone. That requirement also means the HTP’s rules will play a role in daily oversight.

Requirements For Market Entry

Based on reports from regulators, cryptobanks will face dual supervision: oversight from both the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus and the HTP’s governing bodies. This twin structure is meant to let token services grow while keeping closer control of financial risks.

BTCUSD trading at $95,519 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView

Officials say cryptobanks will follow many of the rules that apply to non-bank credit and financial organizations, including standards for capital, risk controls and anti-money-laundering checks.

That suggests applicants will need to show robust compliance systems before being accepted into the register.

Image: Altorise

Belarus: Short-Term Business Plans

National Bank officials said that the decree could be followed by real market steps fast. Aliaksandr Yahorau, the First Deputy Chairman of the National Bank, said Belarus could see its first operating cryptobank within six months after laws and rules are aligned.

He added that cryptobanks may be able to issue loans secured by cryptocurrency, provide payment cards linked to crypto accounts, and allow self-employed people to receive salaries in tokens.

What Comes Next For Belarus

The decree builds on earlier efforts to attract tech and crypto business to Belarus, and it clearly signals a state interest in bringing token activity under formal control.

The next steps will include drafting implementing rules, creating the special registry at the National Bank, and deciding capital and licensing thresholds for applicants.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView

Perguntas relacionadas

QWhat is the main purpose of Decree No. 19 signed by President Aleksandr Lukashenko on January 16, 2026?

AThe main purpose of Decree No. 19 is to create a clear legal framework for 'cryptobanks,' which are companies that combine token operations with traditional banking and payment services.

QWhat are the two supervisory bodies that will oversee cryptobanks in Belarus?

ACryptobanks will be under the dual supervision of the National Bank of the Republic of Belarus and the governing bodies of the High-Tech Park (HTP).

QWhat is a key requirement for a company to be recognized as a cryptobank in Belarus?

AA key requirement is that the company must be a resident of the Belarus High-Tech Park (HTP) and will be listed in a special register maintained by the National Bank.

QAccording to the First Deputy Chairman of the National Bank, what are some of the services that cryptobanks may be able to provide?

ACryptobanks may be able to issue loans secured by cryptocurrency, provide payment cards linked to crypto accounts, and allow self-employed people to receive salaries in tokens.

QWhat are the next steps following the signing of the presidential decree on cryptobanks?

AThe next steps include drafting implementing rules, creating the special registry at the National Bank, and deciding on the capital and licensing thresholds for applicants.

Leituras Relacionadas

A 'Overlooked' Market Event: Joint US-Japan-South Korea Intervention, Rare US Treasury Involvement, and Bessent's Quiet 'Market Rescue'?

Summary: The United States, Japan, and South Korea executed their largest coordinated foreign exchange intervention in nearly 30 years. The action targeted depreciation pressure on the Japanese yen and South Korean won. This move is seen as a significant effort by the US to stabilize the financial markets of its key allies and prevent the spillover of risks. Key details: * Japan reportedly intervened on July 30 using approximately 8.45 trillion yen (about $52.8 billion). South Korean authorities also intervened that day, selling dollars to support the won. * Notably, the US Treasury Department intervened directly in yen markets for the first time in roughly 30 years. The New York Fed, reportedly acting on behalf of the Treasury, sold euros to buy yen via Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley on July 31. Analysts view the use of the euro-yen pair as a way to alleviate yen pressure without adding selling pressure to the US dollar. * Prior to the action, the New York Fed conducted "rate checks" on both USD/JPY and EUR/JPY, a newer signaling tool that falls between verbal and physical intervention. The intervention is interpreted as going beyond traditional currency stabilization. Analysts, such as Michael Hartnett of Bank of America, suggest it resembles a "Price Keeping Operation" for the AI era. The core US objectives are perceived to be: 1. Preventing rapid yen depreciation from triggering a sharp rise in Japanese government bond yields. 2. Containing financial stress from spreading across Asian markets like South Korea and Japan. 3. Reducing the risk of disorderly capital flows impacting the US bond market. This coordinated action underscores the importance of Japan and South Korea as critical partners in the US semiconductor and AI supply chain. Stabilizing their financial markets is seen as vital to mitigating risks to the broader tech industry and the US market itself. The intervention coincides with market pressures, including the KOSDAQ index hitting a low since October 2022. While seen as a move to control volatility, some analysts caution it may not fundamentally reverse existing market trends.

marsbitHá 3m

A 'Overlooked' Market Event: Joint US-Japan-South Korea Intervention, Rare US Treasury Involvement, and Bessent's Quiet 'Market Rescue'?

marsbitHá 3m

Will the Federal Reserve Definitely Raise Interest Rates in September? How Will Cryptocurrencies and US Stocks Bear the Pressure?

In early August 2024, market expectations for a September Federal Reserve rate hike surged dramatically, from below 50% to over 80%, driven by renewed inflation concerns. This shift followed a contentious July FOMC meeting where a 9-3 vote to hold rates revealed a growing hawkish faction advocating for an immediate hike, citing prolonged above-target inflation. The key catalyst is escalating conflict near the Strait of Hormuz, which has pushed oil prices up approximately 20% in July, threatening to reignite inflation. The next critical data point is the July CPI report on August 12th; a hot reading could solidify hike expectations. For crypto assets, particularly Bitcoin, this represents near-term pressure. Bitcoin continues to exhibit high-beta, risk-on characteristics, making it sensitive to tightening liquidity and higher opportunity costs. However, historical precedent suggests that if a hike is perceived as the cycle's end rather than its start, the negative impact may be brief, with markets quickly pivoting to anticipate future rate cuts. U.S. stocks, especially crypto-linked equities like Coinbase and high-valuation tech stocks, face amplified volatility. Higher rates increase discount rates in valuation models, pressuring growth stocks. This coincides with a pivotal tech earnings season where investor focus has shifted from massive AI capital expenditures to demonstrable revenue and cash flow generation. Companies with negative cash flows and weak growth narratives could see severe pressure if a September hike materializes, as financing costs would rise. Key indicators to watch include oil prices, upcoming inflation data, and Fed commentary at events like the Jackson Hole symposium.

Odaily星球日报Há 3m

Will the Federal Reserve Definitely Raise Interest Rates in September? How Will Cryptocurrencies and US Stocks Bear the Pressure?

Odaily星球日报Há 3m

How Likely is it for TradeXYZ to Go Solo from Hyperliquid?

The article analyzes the possibility of TradeXYZ, a dominant project on Hyperliquid's HIP-3 real-world asset (RWA) perpetual contracts market, splitting off to build its own independent trading platform. With TradeXYZ commanding over 90% of HIP-3 volume and over 35% of Hyperliquid's total open interest, its leverage and influence are significant. The primary motive for a split is seen as capturing the underlying protocol fees, of which TradeXYZ currently receives only half. However, several factors strongly discourage such a move. First, replicating Hyperliquid's high-performance infrastructure would be challenging and could degrade TradeXYZ's product quality. Second, Hyperliquid serves as a crucial distribution channel, with most users accessing TradeXYZ's liquidity through its frontend. Third, the close, trusting relationship between the founders of both projects makes a hostile "betrayal" unlikely. The conclusion is that a split would likely result in a lose-lose scenario. Hyperliquid would lose its main growth narrative and see its valuation impacted, while TradeXYZ would face immense technical hurdles, lose its primary user channel, and damage its reputation. Instead of a full separation, the more probable path is for TradeXYZ to negotiate better terms while deepening integration, focusing on enhancing its own brand and user ownership.

marsbitHá 54m

How Likely is it for TradeXYZ to Go Solo from Hyperliquid?

marsbitHá 54m

"Teletubbies" Robot Cleaning Service, $30/Hour, Pure·Manual·Intelligence

Anthropomorphic "Teletubby" robot offers cleaning services in San Francisco at $30/hour, but it's entirely remote-controlled. The robot, created by startup Tau Robotics, can perform household tasks like washing hands, mopping floors, and taking out trash. While the initial demo videos appear impressive and are notably shown at normal speed (unlike many sped-up robot demos), the company reveals the actions are performed via human teleoperation, not autonomous AI. Tau Robotics, founded in 2024, argues this "cheat" is a strategic way to bridge the current capability gap, ensure task completion, and collect real-world home data to eventually train autonomous systems. Their service features three robot models: Chelsea for kitchens/bathrooms, Elon for regular tidying with memory, and Tony for deep cleaning. Priced at $30 per hour, it's cheaper than average human cleaners in the US. The article discusses the broader challenge of deploying humanoid robots in homes, comparing Tau's approach to others like China's Ziliang and the US's 1X Neo, which also use teleoperation. A key reason for choosing a humanoid form is to make remote control more intuitive for human operators. The piece also notes the potential "emotional value" of having a humanoid servant. The service is currently invite-only in San Francisco.

marsbitHá 1h

"Teletubbies" Robot Cleaning Service, $30/Hour, Pure·Manual·Intelligence

marsbitHá 1h

From South Korea to the United States: Blue-Collar Jobs Are Becoming Increasingly Popular, Thanks to AI

AI is reshaping the labor market's value proposition. The traditional four-year college degree is losing its appeal as a guaranteed career path, while skilled blue-collar trades like electricians, welders, and plumbers are experiencing historic demand and wage premiums. This shift is driven by dual pressures: AI's displacement of certain white-collar roles and a booming need for physical infrastructure and data center construction. Data confirms the trend. In the U.S., vocational school revenue surged, and a significant portion of recent layoffs are AI-related. Surveys show a majority of Gen Z adults plan to pursue blue-collar work, citing better job security against AI automation. Vocational education interest has exploded recently. Experts cite a psychological shift as younger generations seek tangible, AI-resistant careers and avoid high student debt. In many cases, salaries for skilled trades now match or exceed those requiring a bachelor's degree. In South Korea, semiconductor vocational high schools boast near-total employment, with graduates securing high-paying roles at companies like Samsung. The shortage is structural, exacerbated by a retiring baby boomer workforce and massive infrastructure projects. Companies like JPMorgan Chase, Meta, and Lowe's are investing heavily in training programs. However, overcoming historical stigma and a "perception gap" around trade careers remains a key challenge to closing the talent gap.

marsbitHá 1h