Belarus to fully launch CBDC in late 2026, central bank head says

Belarus and Russia are coordinating plans for digital currency integration as Minsk targets a full digital ruble rollout by late 2026.

Belarus is getting ready to launch its central bank digital currency into full circulation by the second half of 2026, according to National Bank chief Roman Golovchenko, according to Belta, the state-run news agency. Golovchenko says the digital ruble is among the central bank’s priorities as it’s “actively working on its creation.”

“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. This is the issue I call the ‘coloring’ of funds. For the state, it is very important to be able to trace how digital money moves along the entire chain.”

Roman Golovchenko

Golovchenko said the National Bank has three big jobs ahead: first, figuring out what the digital ruble platform should look like; second, building homegrown software to run it; and third, setting up the rules and regulations for how it will work and be overseen.

The plan is for businesses to begin using the digital ruble in 2026, followed by government agencies and individuals in 2027. Golovchenko also added that the Belarus central bank sees promising potential for CBDCs in cross-border payments, saying the country is “closely working” with Russia, which is also moving towards creating its own digital ruble.

In early April, crypto.news reported that the Bank of Russia postponed the full rollout of its central bank digital currency to mid-2026, citing technical migration issues faced by participating banks.