Ukraine Leaps Ahead with Draft Law for Europe’s First Sovereign Bitcoin Reserve
Move over, gold—Kyiv’s betting on digital. Ukraine’s government just dropped a bombshell draft law to create Europe’s first state-backed Bitcoin reserve, cutting through bureaucratic red tape like a hot wallet through butter.
Why it matters: This isn’t just another ‘crypto-friendly’ gesture. If passed, the law would let Ukraine’s treasury hold BTC alongside traditional reserves—a middle finger to inflationary fiat and a potential game-changer for war-torn economies. (Take notes, IMF.)
The cynical take: Wall Street’s still arguing about spot ETFs while former Soviet states are quietly stacking sats. Somewhere in Zurich, a private banker just spilled his $500 coffee.
Ukraine Eyes Europe’s First National Bitcoin Reserve with Binance
Local media reported on the prospective collaboration, which marks a significant pivot in Ukraine’s monetary strategy.
Reportedly, Member of Parliament Yaroslav Zhelezniak confirmed to Ukrainian outlet Incrypted that a draft law establishing a strategic Bitcoin reserve is in its final stages.
Zhelezniak, the First Deputy Chairman of the Finance, Tax, and Customs Policy Committee, noted that the draft WOULD soon be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada, the local term for Ukraine’s parliament.
“We will soon submit a draft law from the industry allowing the creation of crypto reserves,” read an excerpt in the report, which cited Zhelezniak.
The MOVE comes as Ukraine’s war with Russia reaches day 1,175. Therefore, this consideration signals the country’s urgent need to insulate its economy from ongoing war-induced instability and broader geopolitical risk.
Specifically, Ukraine seeks financial tools to offer stability in the face of currency depreciation and wartime fiscal volatility.
Bitcoin was trading at $102,897, with analysts suggesting that a sovereign-level accumulation could spark renewed upward pressure on the digital asset’s price.
“Ukraine parliament exploring national strategic bitcoin reserve launch with Binance. Very bullish,” remarked CryptoGoos, a digital assets enthusiast.
However, Ukraine’s path is marred with obstacles. Although the Verkhovna Rada’s finance committee approved a draft law on VIRTUAL assets in April, they withdrew it. This move followed opposition from the President’s Office and the National Securities and Stock Market Commission.
The Commission has denied blocking the bill, instead submitting 80 amendments for consideration.
Still, Ukraine aims to legalize crypto activity formally in 2025. The legislation is expected to cover capital gains taxation and anti-money laundering standards.
If enacted, the Bitcoin reserve could accelerate this timeline and help cement the country’s status as a crypto-forward state amid global de-dollarization trends.
Binance Supports Ukraine’s Crypto Ambitions Amid Global Expansion
Binance supports Ukraine’s ambitions. However, the exchange acknowledges that the imminent shift in Ukraine’s approach to digital assets would require legislative adjustments.
“The creation of such a reserve will require significant changes in legislation... Another positive aspect is that this initiative will likely lead to greater clarity in the regulation of crypto assets in Ukraine,” the report said, citing Binance’s Regional Head for CEE, Central Asia, and Africa, Kirill Khomyakov.
BeInCrypto has contacted Binance for a reply, but we have yet to receive a response.
This suggests that the process will take time before Ukraine has a national Bitcoin reserve, as the government will need to articulate its position on this issue clearly.
Meanwhile, this collaboration deepens Binance’s relationship with Ukraine, following its $10 million humanitarian aid donation in 2022. It also positions Ukraine alongside a growing cohort of states exploring Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset.
Others include Russia, the US, and the Czech Republic. Meanwhile, others like Ireland have not announced institutional crypto reserve initiatives, but their advocates have floated the idea.
The Ukrainian Bitcoin reserve proposal aligns with Binance’s global push to support sovereign crypto adoption. CEO Richard Teng recently revealed that several countries are working with the exchange to establish similar reserves.
They draw inspiration from the US’s recent executive order on a national Bitcoin reserve under President Trump.
Beyond Ukraine, Binance has built bridges with governments across Central and South Asia. In Kyrgyzstan, the exchange signed a wide-reaching agreement with the National Investment Agency to advise on blockchain implementation, stablecoins, and digital payments.
Binance founder and former CEO Changpeng Zhao (CZ) was appointed Strategic Advisor to the Pakistan Crypto Council. In this role, he shapes the country’s crypto infrastructure and policy.
As Binance continues to deepen state-level ties, Ukraine’s bold experiment may become a blueprint for how emerging economies counter economic uncertainty with digital tools.
