🇧🇾Belarus

Detailed overview

Belarus at a glance

Belarus (population approximately 9 million) was the first Eastern European country to adopt comprehensive crypto legislation and maintains a distinctive, HTP-centric, state-directed model.

Crypto regime — Decree No. 8 and the HTP:

• Decree No. 8 "On the Development of the Digital Economy" — signed 21 December 2017; effective 28 March 2018; legalised crypto mining, token issuance, exchange, and trading when conducted by HTP residents; recognised smart contracts; granted income-tax and VAT exemptions on digital-asset activity
• High-Tech Park (HTP) — special economic zone (established 2005); a project-incubator entity authorised to register and regulate residents/non-residents engaged in blockchain and crypto; extraterritoriality (HTP-registered companies may serve clients worldwide)
• HTP regime extended to 1 January 2049; Decree No. 102 of 12 April 2023 "On the Development of the Hi-Tech Park"
• Cryptoplatform operators (HTP residents) facilitate token trading on behalf of clients; must separate own funds from client funds/tokens, report balances and order execution, prevent trading by minors and prohibited persons, and follow fair-advertising and AML/CFT internal-control rules
• ICO customers (Belarusian and foreign legal entities) must meet key-personnel and good-standing requirements
• Crypto cannot be used for direct payment for goods/services except through HTP-resident specialised companies
• Tax: HTP residents exempt from income tax and VAT on token activity (a 9% corporate income tax on gross profit from token transactions for HTP-resident legal entities was reported as applying from 1 January 2025; non-HTP residents reportedly 20%/25%); individuals' crypto income status revised from 1 January 2025 (annual declaration; 13% on transactions on foreign platforms or crypto received from a foreign company/individual)
• Active HTP-resident crypto firms include Bynex, Whitebird, Dzengi, Free2Ex
• The National Bank approves crypto-to-fiat exchange and monitors financial stability; the Department of Financial Monitoring enforces AML/CFT

Crypto banks — Decree No. 19 (2026):

• 16 January 2026: President Lukashenko signed Decree No. 19 "On Crypto Banks and Certain Issues of Control in the Sphere of Digital Tokens"
• A crypto bank is a joint-stock company that is an HTP resident and included in a special register maintained by the National Bank
• Crypto banks offer token operations alongside traditional banking/payment/financial services as a non-bank financial institution under dual regulation (National Bank + HTP), subject to capital adequacy, risk management, AML/CFT, and consumer-protection requirements, and HTP Supervisory Board decisions
• Reported design intent: crypto operations fully fiat-backed and supervised; some analyses note the model excludes local-currency deposits from Belarusian citizens and targets foreign investors
• Related context: blocking of some major exchanges, plans for a digital ruble, and state-backed mining (e.g., Mogilev region)

Gambling regime:

• Law on Gambling Business — general legal basis
• Decree No. 305 of 7 August 2018 "On Improving Legal Regulation of the Gambling Business" — legalised online gambling (effective April 2019); licensing, guarantee deposit, state monitoring, identity checks; raised minimum gambling age from 18 to 21
• Legacy instruments: Decree No. 9 (2005), Decree No. 599 (2010), Council of Ministers resolutions (incl. the special computer cash system / monitoring centre)
• Regulator: Ministry of Taxes and Duties (licensing, supervision, tax collection)
• Permitted types: casino games, slot machines, sweepstakes/bookmaker; online via virtual gaming institution (VGI) and/or Live
• Licence: decision within 15 working days; valid 10 years (with extension); state duty ~500 base units
• Online operators must hold a special permit, post a guarantee deposit, connect to the state monitoring/payment system, and conduct identity checks; Live gambling requires a double licence (VGI + casino/arcade), with premises minimums (≥100 m² arcades, ≥250 m² casinos) and broadcasting requirements
• Tax: per-unit gambling tax (per gaming table, slot machine, bookmaker/totalizator cash desk); VGI effective tax ~4% of GGR (positive difference between bets and payouts, plus player personal income tax); operators typically exempt from VAT/other taxes on gambling under the regime
• Player winnings tax raised from 4% to 5% from 1 January 2026 (Law No. 127-Z of 30 December 2025) — first change in 10 years; slot machines in use >10 years after state-register entry keep a doubled tax rate
• Minimum guarantee deposit cited by legal-service sources at ~BYN 2,250,000 (about USD 800,000; ~EUR 978,000)

Last verified: May 2026. Reference rate: USD 1 = BYN 2.81 (1 BYN ≈ USD 0.356).

Belarus is an early, structured crypto jurisdiction — everything routes through the HTP, now extended to 2049 and topped by the January 2026 "crypto bank" category. Gambling is fully licensed (online since 2019) under the Ministry of Taxes and Duties with a low ~4% GGR model.

Is there a crypto licence in Belarus?

Yes — via HTP residency. Decree No. 8 (2017, effective 2018) legalises crypto activity for HTP residents; the HTP regime runs to 2049. Decree No. 19 (16 January 2026) adds a National Bank-registered "crypto bank" category under dual regulation.

The legal foundation:

• Decree No. 8 "On the Development of the Digital Economy" — 21 December 2017 (effective 28 March 2018): legal basis for token issuance, circulation, exchange, mining, and smart contracts via HTP residents; tax exemptions
• Decree No. 102 of 12 April 2023 "On the Development of the Hi-Tech Park" — HTP development; regime extended to 1 January 2049
• Regulations on the Activity of a Cryptoplatform Operator — operator conduct, client-asset segregation, reporting, prohibited-person controls, fair advertising, AML/CFT internal controls
• HTP Applicant Regulations — key-personnel and good-standing requirements (incl. ICO customers)
• Decree No. 19 "On Crypto Banks and Certain Issues of Control in the Sphere of Digital Tokens" — 16 January 2026: crypto-bank category

Structure:

• Crypto activity (mining, token issuance/ICO, exchange, cryptoplatform operation) must be conducted by HTP residents
• Cryptoplatform operators facilitate token trading for clients (including agency transactions); strict client-fund segregation, reporting, and prohibited-person controls
• Crypto cannot be used for direct payment for goods/services except through HTP-resident specialised companies
• National Bank approval required for crypto-to-fiat exchange; Department of Financial Monitoring enforces AML/CFT
• Crypto banks (Decree No. 19): HTP-resident joint-stock companies in the National Bank register; combine token operations with traditional banking as non-bank financial institutions under dual National Bank / HTP regulation (capital adequacy, risk, AML/CFT, consumer protection; HTP Supervisory Board decisions)

Tax:

• HTP residents historically exempt from income tax and VAT on token activity (exemptions extended within the 2049 horizon)
• A 9% corporate income tax on gross profit from token transactions for HTP-resident legal entities was reported as applying from 1 January 2025; non-HTP-resident companies reportedly 20%/25% (above ~BYN 25 million profit)
• Individuals: crypto income status revised from 1 January 2025 — annual declaration; 13% on transactions on foreign platforms or crypto received from a foreign company/individual; transactions with HTP-resident crypto companies treated favourably

Operational reality:

• The HTP is the single gateway — residency and registration are prerequisites
• Active HTP crypto firms: Bynex, Whitebird, Dzengi, Free2Ex
• The crypto-bank model is new (2026); analyses note a foreign-investor orientation and exclusion of local-currency citizen deposits in some designs
• Sanctions/geopolitical context materially affects banking, settlement, and counterparty access — independent due diligence is essential

HTP Residency + Cryptoplatform Operator / ICO (HTP)

Best for crypto exchanges, token issuers, and platform operators willing to become HTP residents.

What it is: HTP residency plus the relevant crypto authorisation (cryptoplatform operator and/or ICO/token issuance) under Decree No. 8 and the cryptoplatform-operator regulations.

Who it suits: Crypto exchanges, token issuers, and platform operators willing to incorporate/register as HTP residents and accept HTP supervision.

Covers: Token trading facilitation on behalf of clients (including agency transactions), token issuance/ICO, exchange, and related crypto activity within the HTP regime.

Operational requirement: HTP residency and registration. Client-fund/token segregation; balance and order-execution reporting; prevention of trading by minors and prohibited persons (incl. residents of countries prohibiting crypto dealings); fair, risk-disclosing advertising; AML/CFT internal controls. National Bank approval for crypto-to-fiat exchange. ICO customers must meet key-personnel and good-standing requirements.

Headline figures

• Gateway: HTP residency (regime to 2049)
• Tax (HTP residents): income-tax/VAT exemptions on token activity; 9% corporate tax on token-transaction gross profit reported from 1 January 2025
• Payment use: crypto not usable for direct payment except via HTP-resident specialised companies
• Fiat exchange: National Bank approval required
• AML/CFT: Department of Financial Monitoring oversight

Crypto Bank (Decree No. 19, 2026)

Best for institutions combining token operations with traditional banking under dual regulation.

What it is: New crypto-bank category under Decree No. 19 (16 January 2026) — an HTP-resident joint-stock company in the National Bank's crypto-bank register, operating as a non-bank financial institution under dual National Bank / HTP regulation.

Who it suits: Institutions (often foreign-investor-backed) seeking to combine digital-token operations with traditional banking, payment, and financial products.

Covers: Token operations alongside traditional banking/payment/financial services, subject to non-bank-financial-institution rules.

Operational requirement: HTP residency; inclusion in the National Bank crypto-bank register; compliance with capital adequacy, risk management, AML/CFT, and consumer-protection requirements; adherence to HTP Supervisory Board decisions. Some designs exclude local-currency deposits from Belarusian citizens and target foreign investors; crypto operations intended to be fiat-backed and supervised.

Headline figures

• Enabling instrument: Decree No. 19, 16 January 2026
• Form: HTP-resident joint-stock company; National Bank crypto-bank register
• Regulation: dual (National Bank + HTP); non-bank financial institution rules
• Scope: token operations + traditional banking/payment/financial services

Is there a gambling licence in Belarus?

Yes. Gambling is fully licensed by the Ministry of Taxes and Duties under the Law on Gambling Business and Decree No. 305 (online legal since April 2019). Licence valid 10 years; minimum age 21.

The legal foundation:

• Law on Gambling Business — general legal basis
• Decree No. 305 of 7 August 2018 "On Improving Legal Regulation of the Gambling Business" — legalised online gambling (effective April 2019); licensing, guarantee deposit, state monitoring, identity checks; minimum age raised 18→21
• Legacy: Decree No. 9 (10 January 2005), Decree No. 599 (19 November 2010), Council of Ministers resolutions (incl. the special computer cash system and monitoring centre, and model internal-control rules)
• Law No. 127-Z of 30 December 2025 — raised player winnings tax 4%→5% from 1 January 2026

Regulator: Ministry of Taxes and Duties (licensing, supervision, tax collection).

Licence categories and requirements:

• Permitted types: casino games, slot machines, sweepstakes/bookmaker; online via virtual gaming institution (VGI) and/or Live
• Licence decision within 15 working days; valid 10 years (with extension); state duty ~500 base units
• Online operators: special permit, guarantee deposit on a special account, connection to the state monitoring/payment system, identity checks; tax-authority remote access
• Live gambling requires a double licence (VGI + casino/arcade) with broadcasting requirements and premises minimums (≥100 m² arcades, ≥250 m² casinos); tables/machines may be located in or outside Belarus
• Land-based parlours: video surveillance, panic button, fire security, certified equipment on the regulator's register, connection to the online monitoring system, Ministry of Internal Affairs facility-protection agreement
• Minimum guarantee deposit cited by legal-service sources at ~BYN 2,250,000 (about USD 800,000; ~EUR 978,000)

Tax:

• Per-unit gambling tax (per gaming table, slot machine, bookmaker/totalizator cash desk)
• VGI effective tax ~4% of GGR (positive difference between bets and payouts, plus player personal income tax); operators typically exempt from VAT and certain other taxes under the regime
• Player winnings tax 5% from 1 January 2026 (up from 4%); slot machines in use >10 years after state-register entry keep a doubled rate

Gambling Licence — Online (VGI / Live) (Ministry of Taxes and Duties)

Best for online casino and live-dealer operators serving the Belarusian market.

What it is: Online gambling licence under Decree No. 305 — virtual gaming institution (VGI) and/or Live (broadcast).

Who it suits: Online casino operators and live-dealer operators willing to localise compliance and connect to the state monitoring system.

Covers: Online casino/games via VGI (website + software) and/or Live (website + software + broadcasting casino). Live requires a double licence (VGI + casino/arcade).

Operational requirement: Special permit; guarantee deposit on a special account; connection to the state monitoring/payment system; tax-authority remote access; identity checks (age 21+); certified RNG and information-security compliance for VGIs; for Live, broadcasting premises (≥100 m² arcades, ≥250 m² casinos) and local-administration approval. Ministry of Taxes and Duties licensing; 10-year term; decision within 15 working days.

Headline figures

• Online legal since: April 2019 (Decree No. 305)
• VGI effective tax: ~4% of GGR
• Player winnings tax: 5% (from 1 January 2026; up from 4%)
• Minimum age: 21
• Licence term: 10 years (extension available)
• Decision time: 15 working days
• Guarantee deposit (cited): ~BYN 2,250,000 (about USD 800,000)

Gambling Licence — Casino / Slot Hall / Bookmaker (Ministry of Taxes and Duties)

Best for land-based casino, slot-hall, and bookmaker/totalizator operators.

What it is: Land-based gambling licence under the Law on Gambling Business and Decree No. 305.

Who it suits: Land-based casino, slot-hall, and bookmaker/totalizator operators (including Russian-facing demand given prohibitions in Russia).

Covers: Casino games (cards, roulette, craps), slot machines, bookmaker/sweepstakes/totalizator operations at licensed premises.

Operational requirement: Belarus-incorporated legal entity (or registered private entrepreneur); office and management body in Belarus; clean criminal/tax records for shareholders/directors; certified equipment on the regulator's register; connection to the online monitoring system; video surveillance, panic button, fire security; Ministry of Internal Affairs facility-protection agreement; guarantee deposit. Ministry of Taxes and Duties licensing; 10-year term.

Headline figures

• Per-unit gambling tax: per gaming table / slot machine / bookmaker-totalizator cash desk
• Player winnings tax: 5% (from 1 January 2026)
• Minimum age: 21
• Licence term: 10 years (extension available)
• State duty: ~500 base units
• Old-slot rule: machines >10 years on state register keep a doubled tax rate

Costs and timelines at a glance

• Crypto framework: Decree No. 8 (2017/2018) via HTP; regime to 2049 (Decree No. 102, 2023)
• Crypto banks: Decree No. 19, 16 January 2026 (HTP-resident JSC; National Bank register; dual regulation)
• Crypto gateway: HTP residency mandatory
• Crypto payment use: only via HTP-resident specialised companies
• Fiat-crypto exchange: National Bank approval required
• Crypto tax: HTP income-tax/VAT exemptions; 9% corporate on token-transaction gross profit reported from 1 Jan 2025; individuals 13% on foreign-platform transactions (from 1 Jan 2025)
• Active HTP crypto firms: Bynex, Whitebird, Dzengi, Free2Ex
• Gambling regulator: Ministry of Taxes and Duties
• Gambling law: Law on Gambling Business + Decree No. 305 (online from April 2019)
• Licence term: 10 years; decision in 15 working days; state duty ~500 base units
• VGI effective tax: ~4% of GGR
• Player winnings tax: 5% from 1 January 2026 (up from 4%; Law No. 127-Z)
• Minimum age: 21
• Guarantee deposit (cited): ~BYN 2,250,000 (about USD 800,000)
• Live gambling: double licence (VGI + casino/arcade); premises ≥100 m²/≥250 m²
• FX: USD 1 = BYN 2.81 (1 BYN ≈ USD 0.356)

Who Belarus suits and who it does not

Suitable for

• Crypto exchanges, token issuers, and platform operators willing to become HTP residents and accept HTP supervision and the 2049 regime
• Institutions seeking the new (2026) crypto-bank category combining token operations with traditional banking under dual National Bank / HTP regulation
• Blockchain/IT firms able to leverage HTP income-tax/VAT exemptions and extraterritoriality
• Crypto-mining operators able to use state-backed/surplus-energy mining arrangements
• Online casino and live-dealer operators willing to connect to the state monitoring system, post a guarantee deposit, and accept Ministry of Taxes and Duties oversight
• Land-based casino, slot-hall, and bookmaker/totalizator operators (including those serving Russian-facing demand) able to meet premises, security, and certified-equipment requirements
• Operators attracted by the low ~4% GGR effective tax for virtual gaming institutions and the 10-year licence

Not suitable for

• Crypto businesses unwilling to become HTP residents — the HTP is the mandatory gateway
• Operators expecting to use crypto for direct payments outside HTP-resident specialised companies — not permitted
• Crypto-to-fiat exchange operators unwilling to obtain National Bank approval
• Crypto banks unable to meet HTP residency, National Bank registration, and non-bank-financial-institution capital/risk/AML requirements
• Operators sensitive to sanctions/geopolitical exposure — banking, settlement, and counterparty access are materially affected; independent due diligence is essential
• Online gambling operators unwilling to connect to the state monitoring system or post the guarantee deposit
• Live-dealer operators unwilling to obtain the double licence or meet premises minimums (≥100 m²/≥250 m²)
• Operators expecting low player-side taxation — winnings tax rose to 5% from 1 January 2026
• Operators unwilling to maintain certified equipment on the regulator's register or the Ministry of Internal Affairs facility-protection agreement
• Businesses needing deposit/citizen-facing retail crypto-banking — some crypto-bank designs exclude local-currency deposits from Belarusian citizens