Belarus Banks Ordered to Expand Crypto Amid Sanctions
- President Lukashenko orders banks to enhance crypto usage.
- Move aims to maintain economic resilience under sanctions.
- Focus on BTC, ETH, and stablecoins for trade payments.

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko mandates increased crypto adoption by banks to counteract Western sanctions, aiming to bolster cross-border trade and digital asset utilization.
This strategic pivot highlights the growing influence of cryptocurrencies in sanctioned economies, potentially reshaping financial systems and promoting digital asset mainstream adoption.
Belarus, under President Alexander Lukashenko’s directive, is urging its banks to enhance cryptocurrency adoption as sanctions pressure from the West increases.
This move aims to bolster economic stability, focusing on cryptocurrency such as BTC and ETH for cross-border transactions, amidst mounting foreign pressures.
Belarus Banks Transition to Cryptocurrency Under Lukashenko’s Orders
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko has instructed the banking sector to enhance its use of cryptocurrencies as a response to Western sanctions. The initiative signifies a strategic pivot to digital assets as a means to maintain economic resilience.
In recent meetings, Lukashenko emphasized the need to integrate crypto and digital assets into financial operations, tasking both the central and commercial banks with this transition. This initiative is part of a larger national digital strategy.
$3 Billion in Crypto Flows Projected by 2025 in Belarus
The directive has potential implications for Belarus’s financial systems, likely increasing the usage of cryptocurrencies such as BTC and ETH for international transactions. This marks a significant shift in the banking industry’s approach to digital finance.
Financial repercussions are anticipated, with expectations of reaching $3 billion in crypto exchange flows by the end of 2025. It underscores the country’s dependence on digital assets for economic transactions amid external sanctions.
Belarus Crypto Adoption Could Exceed 10% by 2026
Belarus legalized cryptocurrency activities in 2018, marking a noteworthy regulatory move. This latest government push recalls similar strategies by regional allies, like Russia’s shift towards digital assets in response to sanctions.
Experts forecast that crypto adoption in Belarus could exceed 10% of the population by 2026, based on current growth. The strategy may offer economic stability pathways under international financial constraints.
“Over the past five years, the national economy, and with it the Belarusian banking sector, have faced unprecedented challenges. The government and the National Bank have been given corresponding instructions. Now, act.” — Alexander Lukashenko, President, Republic of Belarus
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