How to Register a Cryptocurrency Exchange in Belarus

The growing interest in cryptocurrency exchanges presents new business opportunities in various countries, including Belarus. For entrepreneurs considering launching a crypto exchange in Belarus, it’s essential to understand the legal framework and the necessary steps to operate within the law. This article explains the process of registering a cryptocurrency exchange in Belarus, including the requirements for legal compliance, licensing, and operating within the country’s unique High-Tech Park (HTP) jurisdiction.

What is a Cryptocurrency Exchange Registration?

Presidential Decree No. 8, signed in December 2017 and effective from March 2018, established Belarus's foundational regulatory architecture for digital economy activities including cryptocurrency operations. This decree formally recognized digital tokens as legal objects within Belarusian civil law, creating pathways for regulated crypto businesses to operate through the High-Tech Park structure. The legislation distinguishes between various cryptocurrency activities including exchange operations, brokerage services, and initial coin offering facilitation, with each category subject to specific regulatory requirements and capital adequacy standards.

A cryptocurrency exchange registration in Belarus is the process through which a business obtains the legal right to operate as a platform for trading cryptocurrencies. The registration process is regulated under the current Belarusian legal framework, which encourages the development of digital technology and blockchain-related businesses through favorable tax benefits and legal structures, particularly within the High-Tech Park (HTP).

The High-Tech Park is a special economic zone in Belarus that provides a wide range of incentives for businesses operating in information technology, digital finance, and blockchain technologies. These incentives include tax exemptions, simplified procedures, and other business-friendly regulations, making it an attractive location for cryptocurrency exchanges.

Why is HTP resident status required for a crypto exchange?

Token turnover in Belarus is allowed exclusively to HTP residents. This directly follows from Decree No. 8 and the legal regime of the Hi-Tech Park. Outside the HTP, such activities will be classified as illegal business activities with associated tax and administrative risks.

The resident status gives not only the right to work with crypto assets, but also access to a special tax regime, as well as to a predictable regulatory environment. At the same time, HTP performs the function of a filter: it evaluates the business reputation, the origin of capital and the viability of the project. Practice shows that a formal approach to an application is one of the most common reasons for refusal.

How is the registration of a crypto exchange in HTP?

The procedure begins with the creation of a Belarusian legal entity or the use of an existing company. Next, a package of documents is being prepared for the HTP Supervisory Board: a description of the business model, the technical architecture of the platform, information security measures, as well as internal compliance procedures. Special attention is paid to measures for customer identification and risk management related to money laundering, which correlates with international FATF standards.

The application is reviewed collectively, and based on the results, a decision is made to include the company in the number of HTP residents. At this stage, it is important to take into account that the regulator evaluates not only the documents, but also the actual readiness of the project for launch.

Which documents and requirements are key?

The internal regulations for working with tokens, rules of operations, privacy policy and user agreements are critical for the crypto exchange. They must be consistent with the requirements of the Belarusian civil legislation, as well as with the norms on the protection of information and personal data. In terms of dispute resolution, it is important to determine the applicable law and jurisdiction in advance; in practice, arbitration is often used, including the possibility of applying to arbitration courts.

Key Steps for Registering a Cryptocurrency Exchange in Belarus

About the Company

"Economic Disputes" is a law firm specializing in B2B legal services since 2019. We have a team of 15 experienced legal professionals with 15 to 25 years of expertise in economic and financial disputes. Our managing director, Sergey Belyavsky, has over 20 years of experience in economic courts, including 10 years as a judge, and is a recommended arbitrator at the Arbitration Court of the Belarusian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Our firm has represented over 2,000 clients and saved or recovered more than 1.95 billion rubles. We offer multilingual services (Russian, Polish, English) and operate with a network of partners in over 160 countries.

We maintain banking relationships with PKO Bank Polski, ensuring efficient financial operations and payment processing for international transactions. If your business requires legal support for cryptocurrency exchange registration in Belarus's High-Tech Park, navigating regulatory compliance requirements, or addressing related corporate law matters, submit a consultation request. We will provide a realistic assessment of your situation and propose a practical action plan addressing your specific business objectives and risk tolerance.