Turkmenistan has handed a legislation legalizing bitcoin mining and permitting bitcoin exchanges to function, with the principles taking impact Jan. 1, 2026.
The “Regulation on Digital Property” was signed by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in late November 2025.
Officers mentioned the goal is to modernize the financial system, entice overseas funding, and cut back reliance on pure fuel exports.
Licensing and oversight
The Central Financial institution of Turkmenistan will oversee the sector.
Anybody who needs to mine bitcoin or run an change should acquire a license from the central financial institution.
Mining tools and operations should be registered with the federal government.
Bitcoin handled as property
Below the legislation, bitcoin and different digital property are labeled as property fairly than cash.
Meaning bitcoin can’t be used for on a regular basis funds reminiscent of shopping for items or paying salaries.
Compliance necessities
Exchanges should confirm person identities and adjust to anti-money laundering guidelines.
Nameless wallets and “secret transactions” are banned, with transactions and addresses required to be traceable to a person or firm.
The legislation additionally bans “hidden” or unlawful mining.
Exchanges should hold most buyer property in chilly storage.
Licenses will be suspended or revoked for violations.
Financial rationale and limits
Supporters argue authorized readability can assist growing economies entice funding.
Economist Muhammad Rheza Ramadhan mentioned:
“Cryptocurrency legalization has considerably boosted financial progress in growing nations by enhancing monetary inclusion and offering the authorized readability important for attracting digital overseas direct funding.”
Turkmenistan’s authorities additionally framed bitcoin mining as a method to make use of extra power and create earnings past fuel exports.
Web entry stays tightly managed within the nation, which might restrict how shortly the sector grows.