Ukraine has put forward a new draft law that could allow its central bank to hold cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin as part of the country’s official reserves.
This proposal, registered under Draft Law No. 13356 on 10 June, aims to amend the existing law governing the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU).
The bill proposes an amendment to the Law “On the National Bank of Ukraine,” authorising the NBU to decide whether to include cryptocurrencies in its national reserves alongside gold and foreign currencies.
However, the bill does not impose any obligation—decisions on timing, amount, and method of including crypto assets would be left entirely to the NBU’s discretion.
Yaroslav Zheleznyak, one of the bill’s key authors and deputy chair of the Verkhovna Rada’s Finance Committee, confirmed the move, stating:
“According to the draft law, we give the National Bank the right to include virtual assets in Ukraine’s reserves. However, how, when and how much should be the decision of the regulator itself. That is, we do not oblige and leave it to their professional choice.”
The initiative reflects Ukraine’s broader strategy to modernise its financial infrastructure and align with global trends in digital finance.
Zheleznyak explained the thinking behind the move:
“Proper management of crypto reserves will help strengthen macroeconomic stability and create new opportunities for the development of the digital economy.”
By allowing—rather than requiring—the central bank to manage crypto holdings, lawmakers aim to give the NBU the flexibility to adjust based on market conditions, regulatory readiness, and national economic priorities.
National Bank of Ukraine
This initiative is not happening in isolation.
Zheleznyak pointed to similar actions in other jurisdictions, including the United States, which is currently developing a national crypto reserve strategy.
Countries like El Salvador, Switzerland, Brazil, China, and several EU member states have also begun exploring the role of virtual assets in their sovereign financial systems.
Zheleznyak further discussed these developments in a video commentary with Kirill Khomyakov, Binance’s regional head for Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, indicating growing cooperation between government and private sector players in shaping digital asset policy.
While the bill has been formally registered in parliament, the full text is not yet publicly accessible.
Market watchers and policy experts are expected to follow the law’s progress closely, especially regarding how the NBU might eventually implement the authority if it is granted.
This legislative step adds to Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to position itself as a forward-thinking digital economy while navigating the complexities of crypto regulation and reserve management.
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