Ukrainian lawmakers have introduced a groundbreaking draft bill that could pave the way for the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) to include cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin in the country’s official reserves.
Known as bill number 13356, the proposal was submitted to Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, on Tuesday.
It seeks to amend the existing law “On the National Bank of Ukraine” to expand the definition of reserve assets beyond traditional instruments like gold and foreign currencies, allowing for the legal inclusion of crypto assets.
Ukraine Bill Signals Major Shift Toward National Crypto Integration
If passed, the legislation would represent a significant shift in Ukraine’s approach to digital assets, aligning it with a growing number of countries exploring crypto integration into national financial systems.
The move comes amid Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to modernize its financial infrastructure and embrace digital innovation, especially in the wake of increased reliance on crypto during the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Incorporating cryptocurrencies into central bank reserves would not only diversify Ukraine’s reserve holdings but also send a strong signal of crypto legitimacy on the global stage.
However, the bill will likely face scrutiny around risk management, volatility, and regulatory alignment with international standards before it can move forward.
Also Read: Ukraine May Launch Crypto Reserve Bill in Parliament This Week, Says Zheleznyak
Ukrainian Lawmakers Support State Crypto Reserve, Leave Decision to Central Bank
Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak stated that while the final decision rests with the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), lawmakers support the idea of establishing a state-level crypto asset reserve.
He emphasized that such a move would align Ukraine with global financial innovation trends. Creating a reserve of digital assets like Bitcoin could help modernize the country’s monetary policy tools and diversify its reserves beyond gold and foreign currencies.
Zhelezniak views this initiative as a progressive step toward integrating Ukraine into the evolving digital economy.
The proposal signals increasing political will to embrace cryptocurrency as part of the formal financial system, though implementation would still depend on regulatory safeguards and NBU’s evaluation of associated risks.
Zhelezniak Discusses State Crypto Reserve in Video with Binance Executive
In a recent video commentary with Binance’s regional head for Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Kirill Khomyakov, Ukrainian lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak discussed the potential for creating a state crypto reserve.
He highlighted that Ukraine could follow the lead of other nations exploring or already holding strategic crypto reserves, such as the United States, El Salvador, Switzerland, and Brazil.
Zhelezniak noted that this growing global trend signals a shift toward recognizing crypto assets like Bitcoin as viable components of national reserves.
He emphasized that such a move could strengthen Ukraine’s financial sovereignty and align it with forward-thinking economies.
The commentary reflects increasing interest among Ukrainian officials in integrating crypto into long-term economic planning and reserve diversification.
Also Read: Ukraine Considers Taxing Crypto Gains with an 18% Tax and 5% Military Levy Under New Proposal