Belarus is preparing for the full-scale launch of its central bank digital currency (CBDC) by the second half of 2026, with a phased rollout that will begin with businesses and expand to individuals and government agencies by 2027. The announcement was made by Roman Golovchenko, head of the National Bank of Belarus, as reported by Belta, the country’s state-run news agency.
Digital Ruble a Key National Priority
Golovchenko emphasized that the development of a digital ruble is one of the bank’s top strategic goals, with the institution focusing on key elements such as platform architecture, security protocols, and domestic software development.
“The digital ruble is among our priorities. We are actively working on its creation. First of all, we are focused on the security of funds,” said Golovchenko. “For the state, it is very important to be able to trace how digital money moves along the entire chain.”
This emphasis on traceability—what Golovchenko refers to as the “coloring” of funds—reflects Belarus’ ambition to establish a CBDC with end-to-end transparency and control, especially in government and commercial transactions.
A Three-Phase Roadmap
According to the National Bank, the roadmap for Belarus’ digital ruble involves three major components:
- Defining the digital ruble platform’s technical framework
- Developing localized software to ensure national technological sovereignty
- Drafting and implementing the regulatory and operational framework
The CBDC rollout is expected to begin in 2026 with corporate users, followed by adoption by government agencies and individual citizens in 2027.
Cross-Border Collaboration with Russia
Golovchenko also highlighted Belarus’ close collaboration with Russia on digital currency integration. Both countries are exploring how CBDCs could streamline cross-border payments, particularly within the context of growing economic alignment between Minsk and Moscow.
Russia is also in the process of launching its own digital ruble, though its full rollout has been delayed to mid-2026 due to technical challenges faced by participating banks, according to a recent Bank of Russia announcement.
The two nations envision interoperable digital currencies that could one day enhance regional financial independence and reduce reliance on traditional global payment systems.
Final Thoughts
Belarus’ announcement signals a growing commitment among post-Soviet economies to embrace digital monetary innovation. With a structured roadmap, strong emphasis on security, and alignment with regional partners like Russia, Belarus aims to position its digital ruble as a key player in the future of both domestic and cross-border finance.
