Digital Belarusian ruble bill passes first reading
24.03.2026
MINSK (
BelTA) – The draft law on Amendments to Laws on the Digital Belarusian Ruble” has passed its first reading in Belarus, BelTA has learned.
The draft law includes provisions aimed at defining the legal nature of the digital Belarusian ruble, which represents a new (additional) form of non-cash money. Unlike the existing form, these funds are not held in bank accounts but in digital accounts at the National Bank.
According to the Standing Commission on Budget and Finance of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, the bill provides that the introduction of the digital Belarusian ruble will enhance the effectiveness of state control over the targeted use of budget funds, increase the integration potential of the national payment system with the payment systems of partner countries, expand payment methods – including cross-border ones – simplify cross-border transactions, and ensure a high level of security for the funds of business entities.
Amendments are to be made to five codes and eight laws of Belarus. These include the Banking Code, the Budget Code, the laws On Currency Regulation and Currency Control, On Measures to Prevent the Legalization of Proceeds of Crime, the Financing of Terrorist Activities, and the Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, On Payment Systems and Payment Services, and others.
It is stipulated that the National Bank will organize the operation of the digital Belarusian ruble payment system, including the digital Belarusian ruble platform. The National Bank is granted the authority to oversee the functioning of the digital Belarusian ruble.
According to Aleksei Raiko, a member of the Standing Commission on Budget and Finance of the House of Representatives, a legal framework is effectively being established for the introduction of the digital Belarusian ruble. According to him, the digital Belarusian ruble will be legal tender on the territory of Belarus and will allow citizens to make payments. In effect, it represents a new form of non-cash payments in Belarus.
The draft law includes provisions aimed at defining the legal nature of the digital Belarusian ruble, which represents a new (additional) form of non-cash money. Unlike the existing form, these funds are not held in bank accounts but in digital accounts at the National Bank.
According to the Standing Commission on Budget and Finance of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, the bill provides that the introduction of the digital Belarusian ruble will enhance the effectiveness of state control over the targeted use of budget funds, increase the integration potential of the national payment system with the payment systems of partner countries, expand payment methods – including cross-border ones – simplify cross-border transactions, and ensure a high level of security for the funds of business entities.
Amendments are to be made to five codes and eight laws of Belarus. These include the Banking Code, the Budget Code, the laws On Currency Regulation and Currency Control, On Measures to Prevent the Legalization of Proceeds of Crime, the Financing of Terrorist Activities, and the Financing of the Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, On Payment Systems and Payment Services, and others.
It is stipulated that the National Bank will organize the operation of the digital Belarusian ruble payment system, including the digital Belarusian ruble platform. The National Bank is granted the authority to oversee the functioning of the digital Belarusian ruble.
According to Aleksei Raiko, a member of the Standing Commission on Budget and Finance of the House of Representatives, a legal framework is effectively being established for the introduction of the digital Belarusian ruble. According to him, the digital Belarusian ruble will be legal tender on the territory of Belarus and will allow citizens to make payments. In effect, it represents a new form of non-cash payments in Belarus.