Belarus legalizes cryptocurrency payments for self-employed individuals - ForkLog: cryptocurrencies, AI, singularity, the future

Froklog · 2026-02-18T14:19:14+00:00

Belarus will allow self-employed individuals to receive payments in cryptocurrency, removing previous legal barriers. Regulated crypto banks will facilitate transactions, ensuring compliance with national regulations while innovating the capital market.

Froklog

2026-02-18 14:19:14

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Belarus Legalizes Cryptocurrency Payments for Self-Employed Individuals

Self-employed individuals in Belarus will be able to officially receive payment for their services in cryptocurrency. Sputnik reports this, citing statements from the chairman of the National Bank of Belarus, Alexander Egorov.

“Previously, if a designer or programmer completed a project for a foreign client who offered payment in crypto, the person was in a gray area, unable to legally deposit these funds into their account. They couldn’t officially pay taxes on it. Now, this obstacle has been removed,” he explained.

Payments in digital assets will be made through crypto banks, which legalized their operations in January.

Decree No. 19 defines such a structure as a joint-stock company— a resident of the High Technologies Park (HTP) from the special register of the National Bank. These companies will have the right, alongside traditional services, to conduct operations with tokens. Their activities will be regulated simultaneously by the National Bank of Belarus and the High Technologies Park.

The HTP will take on the responsibility of verifying the programming code, platform security, and encryption reliability.

“Blockchain technology, combined with government regulation, provides a level of transparency that traditional banks can only dream of,” Egorov stated.

He also mentioned that crypto banks will start issuing cards for payments in regular stores. When paying, cryptocurrency will automatically be converted into Belarusian rubles at the current exchange rate.

An expert described the emergence of these new structures as a “global transformation that changes the very logic of capital circulation and demonstrates Belarus’s readiness to lead in innovation rather than fear it.”

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has repeatedly emphasized the need for transparent regulation of the crypto market and appropriate control mechanisms.

He also instructed the banking sector to accelerate the implementation of digital payment services based on QR code technology.

It is worth noting that in the second half of 2026, Belarus will fully launch the digital ruble.

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