Turkmenistan, a small country with about 7.6 million people and very limited control over the internet, has officially legalized cryptocurrency mining and exchanges since January 2026.
The decision is aimed at attracting fresh investment and reducing dependence on gas exports, while keeping tight rules on who can operate and how crypto can be used.
On November 28, 2025, President Serdar Berdimuhamedov signed the Law on Virtual Assets, which officially came into force on January 1, 2026.
Under this law, only registered companies and approved entrepreneurs are allowed to mine cryptocurrencies or operate crypto exchanges. This is not an open market. Every business must obtain a license before starting, and all activities will be closely monitored by the government.
Several state bodies, including the Central Bank, the Cabinet of Ministers, and the Ministry of Finance and Economy, will oversee the sector. Regular checks will be carried out to make sure companies follow the rules.
Crypto mining is now legal only for approved operators. Any hidden or unlicensed mining remains illegal and could lead to penalties. This rule is especially strict given the country’s controlled digital environment.
Exchanges must also operate under strict rules. They can offer crypto trading services, but only within the framework set by regulators. Taxes must be paid, and crypto cannot be used for illegal activities.
The new law clearly states that cryptocurrencies will not be treated as legal tender. This means crypto cannot be used for everyday payments, salaries, or official transactions.
Instead, digital assets are classified as digital property that people can legally own, hold, and trade under regulated conditions.
Licensed crypto firms must follow strong anti-money laundering rules, store most assets in cold wallets, and report activity to regulators. Any unlicensed mining or exchange activity is strictly banned. Authorities also have the power to suspend or cancel licenses if rules are broken.
While nearby countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan already have clear crypto rules, Turkmenistan is taking a different path. Instead of banning crypto, it is choosing a tightly controlled and regulated approach.
Even though crypto trading and holding are still very limited today, this new law slowly opens the door for adoption under strict government rules.
CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.
All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.
Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.
TAO, the native token of AI infrastructure builder Bittensor, has lost an additional 7% in…
SUI price is currently annoyingly hovering, stalling, teasing a move… but not committing. After defending…
GameStop launches Power Packs tomorrow, April 15. Available at powerpacks.com, Power Packs is a digital…
Dogecoin is once again approaching a critical turning point, with the price compressing beneath a…
Bitcoin has reclaimed the $75,000 level for the second time since the outbreak of the…
Something’s quietly shifting under XRP, and it’s not the usual hype cycle. This time, the…
