Turkmenistan Legalizes Crypto Mining and Exchanges to Boost the Economy
Turkmenistan's Law on Virtual Assets, legalizing crypto mining and exchanges, took effect on January 2, 2026. The legislation was signed into law on November 28, 2025, by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.
The law defines virtual assets as property rather than legal tender or securities. Virtual assets are categorized as secured, backed by an underlying asset, or unsecured, such as bitcoin.
Mining activities by both individuals and companies are permitted if registered with the Central Bank and if they comply with technical standards. Covert mining operations are explicitly prohibited.
Crypto exchanges and custodial services may operate with a license issued by the Central Bank. Both domestic and foreign entities can own these services, except those linked to offshore jurisdictions.
Exchanges are required to enforce Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) rules, forbidding anonymous transactions or wallets.
The new regulatory framework aims to promote economic development and attract foreign investment through oversight of virtual assets.
