Ukraine Considers Bitcoin for National Reserves in New Bill

• Ukrainian lawmakers are proposing a new bill that would give the National Bank of Ukraine the green light to hold digital assets like BTC as part of its official reserves.
• As U.S. President Donald Trump ramps up efforts to position America as a dominant force in crypto, Ukraine isn’t sitting on the sidelines either.

On Tuesday, Bill No. 13356 was officially submitted to Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, proposing key amendments to the current law “On the National Bank of Ukraine.” The goal? To allow the country’s central bank to include crypto assets like Bitcoin (BTC) alongside traditional holdings such as gold and foreign currencies in its sovereign reserves.

The National Bank of Ukraine hasn’t commented yet on whether it plans to add Bitcoin or other digital assets to its official reserves.

While the bill grants the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) the authority to acquire and hold cryptocurrencies, it doesn’t impose any obligations. Instead, the final call would remain fully within the central bank’s hands. As Yaroslav Zhelezniak, a member of parliament and co-author of the bill, explained via his Telegram channel, “How, when, and how much should be the decision of the regulator itself.”

This gives the NBU the freedom to decide when, and if, crypto makes sense for its overall financial strategy, just like it already does with foreign currencies and other reserves. Supporters of the proposal view it as a smart, future-ready policy that doesn’t just recognize the rise of digital assets but sets the stage for their responsible use when the time comes. As CNF previously noted, Binance is backing the effort by advising Ukraine throughout the process.

Zhelezniak emphasized that this bill is less about pushing a pro-crypto agenda and more about laying the legal groundwork for what could be a transformative shift in Ukraine’s financial infrastructure. “Proper management of crypto reserves will help strengthen macroeconomic stability and create new opportunities for the development of the digital economy,” he said.

Global Alignment

This proposal is an effort to keep pace with global trends. Zheleznyak cited countries like the U.S., El Salvador, Switzerland, and Brazil that are all exploring digital reserves as part of a wider global trend. In March, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to create a Cryptocurrency Strategic reserve and a US digital asset stockpile.

At least 16 states, including Florida, Texas, Arizona, Wyoming, and Mississippi, have introduced or passed legislation that would allow them to hold Bitcoin in their state treasuries.

India is taking a fresh look at its crypto policy. Economic Affairs Secretary Ajay Seth recently said the government is re-evaluating its stance, especially as more countries start to embrace digital assets more openly.

Elsewhere, Switzerland continues to lead the way with a more hands-on and structured approach. It’s built the infrastructure for regulated crypto custody and even lets some local governments accept tax payments in Bitcoin.

El Salvador, which made Bitcoin legal tender back in 2021, has gone all-in. The country now runs its own Bitcoin treasury, backed by mining projects and bond initiatives. In 2023, it even launched a dedicated Bitcoin Office to manage all things crypto.

Meanwhile, Brazil is still figuring things out. While there aren’t any specific crypto laws yet, the government is looking into taxing crypto transactions and setting rules for crypto service providers.