Kyrgyzstan has taken a bold step forward by implementing its own Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) dubbed the ‘digital som’. This pilot project marks a significant leap towards modernizing the country’s financial system and integrating digital payments. President Sadyr Zhaparov signed a constitutional law that grants legal status to the digital som, granting the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic full control over its development and future deployment. Testing is expected to commence in 2025 with a pilot project before a nationwide launch decision in 2026. This CBDC will differ from traditional cryptocurrencies by being directly backed by the central bank, offering the stability of traditional currencies combined with the speed and convenience of modern technology.