Turkmenistan Legalizes Crypto Mining but Bans It as Payment – What’s the Catch?

Turkmenistan has taken a rare step by legalizing cryptocurrency mining and exchange operations, while at the same time drawing a hard line against the use of digital assets as a form of payment. The move, signed into law by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov in late November and taking effect on January 1, 2026, marks a major policy shift for one of the world’s most closed and tightly controlled economies. Turkmenistan Ends Crypto Ban With Central Bank in Charge Under the new “Law on Virtual Assets,” cryp ...