Lawmakers Introduce Draft Law to Modernize State Asset Strategy
A new draft bill submitted to the Ukrainian parliament could pave the way for the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) to add cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin to the country’s official state reserves. The proposed legislation, registered as Bill No. 13356, seeks to amend the existing law “On the National Bank of Ukraine” to formally include digital assets alongside traditional holdings such as gold and foreign currencies.
The bill empowers, but does not obligate, the central bank to acquire crypto assets.
Discretion Lies with the National Bank
According to the bill’s language and official statements, the NBU will retain full autonomy over whether or not to allocate any portion of its reserves to crypto. The decision regarding timing, scale, and asset type would rest entirely with the central regulator.
“How, when, and how much should be the decision of the regulator itself,” said Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak.
A Step Toward Digital Economic Integration
Supporters of the bill argue that adopting crypto as part of reserve strategy could offer long-term benefits for Ukraine’s macroeconomic stability. In his public statement, Zhelezniak emphasized that this move would align Ukraine with global financial innovation trends and open new pathways for digital economic growth.
“Proper management of crypto reserves will help strengthen macroeconomic stability,” he noted.
Influence from Global Trends in Reserve Management
Zhelezniak also highlighted examples from other nations that are exploring or already integrating crypto into national strategies. Countries like the United States, Switzerland, Brazil, and El Salvador were mentioned as part of this growing movement.
The potential for a state crypto reserve in Ukraine was further discussed in a video interview with key regional crypto executives, where the focus was on how such policies could attract innovation and boost resilience.
What This Means for Ukraine’s Financial Future
While the law does not mandate immediate crypto purchases, its passage would mark a significant policy shift and position Ukraine among the first in Europe to authorize state-level crypto asset reserves.
This move could strengthen Ukraine’s standing in the global digital finance arena and offer new tools to manage economic risks and inflation.