The global exchange website Currency.com has announced that it will be offering a tokenized form of Belarussian government bonds, according to a press release on May 7. According to the press release, users can now use fiat money or cryptocurrencies bitcoin (BTC) and ether (ETH) to invest in and trade Belarussian government bonds. Belarussian-based company Currency Com Bel LLC is reportedly the first organization to tokenize government bonds. As is the case with other cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, investors will be able to purchase fractional amounts of the new token. Initially, these tokens are being offered on the exchange at …

Belarusbank, the largest bank in Belarus, is considering setting up a crypto exchange, local information agency BelTA reports on Jan. 28. According to the bank’s chairman of the board Viktor Ananich, efforts are now being made to explore the possibility of setting up a cryptocurrency exchange. Ananich claimed that digitization is one of the most important focuses of Belarusbank in 2019, noting that the bank is also working with mobile carriers, aiming to expand its services. Specifically, Belarusbank is planning to issue virtual cards — online, rather than physical, credit cards — in a few months, as Ananich revealed. The …

Belarus has launched a trading platform that enables customers to buy tokenized versions of shares, gold and other traditional assets, Reuters reported Jan. 15. The project is reportedly backed by two companies, Larnabel Ventures and VP Capital. According to Reuters, the government of Belarus has not yet commented on the launch of the platform, but it was covered by the state news agency BelTa. The platform will allow traders to buy shares, precious metals, foreign exchange and other traditional assets from Belarus, as well as from other countries, with cryptocurrencies. Since its launch, the platform has reportedly issued 150 different …

Russia's Ministry of Finance (MinFin) believes that the creation of a Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)-backed digital currency is inevitable due to the United States’ sanctions. Major Russian media agency Rambler reported MinFin’s comments on Friday, Dec. 21. MinFin reportedly sees an opportunity for launching a digital currency backed by countries in the EAEU by 2020 or 2021, as deputy finance minister Alexei Moiseev revealed. The Eurasian Union was established in 2014 and includes five member countries: Belarus, Kazakhstan, Russia, Armenia and Kyrgyzstan. The announced digital currency project will be most likely implemented without using blockchain technology, Moiseev stated, as reported …

Belarus High-Technologies Park (HTP), a national special economic zone contributing to the IT business, has established the rules for the operation of the cryptocurrency market in the country, according to documents published by HTP Nov. 30. The regulatory documents define the requirements for various types of businesses related to cryptocurrencies and Initial Coin Offerings (ICO), as the general rules for industry regulations — Decree No. 8 “On the Development of the Digital Economy” — had already been signed last year. The HTP, commonly known as the Belarusian Silicon Valley, was responsible for establishing the rules under which the cryptocurrency industry …

Belarusian diplomats are seeking South Korean investors for the country's growing blockchain and fintech industry, Korea JoongAng Daily reported September 6. During a visit to Seoul on Tuesday, the deputy foreign minister of Belarus Andrei Dapkiunas reportedly stated that Belarus endeavors to establish relations with Korean investors interested in “fourth industrial revolution” technologies, including blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). In an interview with Korea JoongAng Daily, Dapkiunas noted that Belarus has developed “groundbreaking state legislation” in the IT sector, and said that the country is “making innovative strides on blockchain, cryptocurrency, start-up development and software production.” The two countries have …

Belarus considers the digitization of the economy a top priority and is developing a resolution promoting digital economy for a session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE PA), local news BelTA reports May 15. Speaking at the Eurasian Digital Forum, the Minister of Telecommunications and Informatization Sergey Popkov said that digital technology is considered as a top priority due to its ability to transform “the economy, public administration and social services.” Popkov further cited the recently adopted Decree on the Development of Digital Economy, that facilitates cryptocurrency-related activity. “The adopted Decree number …

Belarus has officially introduced cryptocurrency accounting standards, according to a March 6 document by the Ministry of Finance, local news outlet Jourtify reported yesterday, March 25. The document lays out the information needed about tokens for accounting purposes, as well as how to categorize tokens received by organizations (excluding the National Bank, Development Bank, non-financial bank institutions, and various banking institutions) depending on their further use. Last December, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed the “Digital Economy Growth” bill, which supports Blockchain and cryptocurrency development. The bill aims to streamline and remove bureaucracy that could prevent Blockchain innovation, a goal the …