Can a central bank hold Bitcoin the same way it holds gold or U.S. dollars? Ukrainian lawmakers think it should be an option.
A new draft bill, submitted by eight members of Ukraine’s parliament, proposes allowing the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) to include crypto assets like Bitcoin in its official reserves. The bank wouldn’t be forced to buy crypto—it would simply gain the right to do so.
“Proper management of crypto reserves will help strengthen macroeconomic stability,” said Yaroslav Zheleznyak, the bill’s lead sponsor. But is this more about innovation or just keeping up with global trends?
Crypto assets as a Strategic Option, Not a Must
Ukraine already has crypto assets—just not officially. Reports suggest Ukrainian officials hold more than 46,000 Bitcoin (worth over $5 billion), but none of that sits in the state’s coffers. If passed, this bill could allow the NBU to change that.
Still, Zheleznyak made it clear: this isn’t about diving headfirst into Bitcoin. “How, when and how much should be the decision of the regulator itself,” he said. It’s flexibility, not a mandate.
The crypto reserve bill also got input from Binance’s regional head, Kyrylo Khomiakov, and legal AI expert Petr Bilyk—so it’s not just a political move. It’s a calculated one.
Other countries are doing it too. The U.S., El Salvador, and even Pakistan have floated or implemented ideas around holding crypto as part of state reserves. Ukraine doesn’t want to be left behind.
So—will this bill lead to real crypto assets adoption at the national level, or is it just laying the groundwork for “someday”?
One thing’s clear: Ukraine is opening the door. The question is, will they step through it?
