Belarus Includes Cryptocurrency in Qualified OTC Financial Instruments

Belarus has officially included cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, in the list of qualified underlying assets for non-deliverable over-the-counter (OTC) financial instruments, according to PANews. This decision, made by the Council of Ministers and the National Bank of Belarus, took effect on May 27. Non-deliverable OTC instruments are direct contracts between market participants that do not involve the actual delivery of the underlying asset, with settlement occurring in cash based on the price difference at maturity. This move is expected to further integrate cryptocurrencies into Belarus's traditional financial system, creating new investment opportunities.