The Belarusian central bank is actively drafting regulations that would allow cryptocurrency payments, aiming to unlock new possibilities within the economy and bypass sanctions. These changes are being spearheaded by a proposal from Roman Golovchenko, chairman of the National Bank of Belarus (NBRB), following discussions with President Alexander Lukashenko. The move follows Russia’s introduction of an experimental legal regime for crypto transactions, designed to facilitate cross-border payments for Russian companies under stringent Western sanctions. This action mirrors Minsk’s response to similar international penalties related to its close relationship with Moscow and involvement in the conflict with Ukraine.