Binance, a leading global cryptocurrency exchange, has entered into a significant strategic partnership with the Kyrgyz Republic to accelerate the nation’s shift toward a digitally empowered economy. The agreement was formalized on May 4, 2025, during the first meeting of the Council for the Development of Digital Assets in Bishkek, an event attended by the country’s President, Sadyr Japarov. As part of the occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Binance and the National Agency for Investments of Kyrgyzstan.
At the heart of this collaboration lies the national introduction of Binance Pay, a contactless cryptocurrency payment system that aims to streamline digital transactions across the country. This initiative is intended to enhance secure, borderless, and efficient payments for both citizens and visitors, while promoting financial inclusion. It also seeks to strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s integration into regional and global crypto-powered economic ecosystems, particularly within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
The agreement also places a strong emphasis on blockchain education as a means to develop a digitally competent workforce. Binance Academy will lead national training programs in collaboration with Kyrgyz governmental bodies, educational institutions, and financial organizations. These initiatives are designed to enhance financial and digital literacy among a wide spectrum of the population, including students, government officials, banking personnel, and entrepreneurs.
Through these educational programs, the country aims to foster a robust talent pool capable of supporting innovation in areas such as decentralized finance (DeFi), smart contract development, and blockchain governance. This emphasis on human capital development forms a key pillar of Kyrgyzstan’s broader effort to equip its workforce for a technology-centric economic future.
In addition to payments and education, Binance has committed to supporting Kyrgyzstan’s infrastructure development in the digital asset space. This includes aiding in the exploration of blockchain applications within public sector services, offering guidance on establishing a national Bitcoin reserve strategy, and contributing to the testing and potential nationwide launch of the digital som—the country’s central bank digital currency (CBDC).
This partnership is in line with Kyrgyzstan’s policy objective of enhancing digital sovereignty and increasing financial resilience. In April 2025, the nation took a decisive step by enacting a constitutional law that recognized the digital som as legal tender. This move positioned Kyrgyzstan among the few countries globally to institutionalize a CBDC through constitutional means.
Moreover, Binance founder and former CEO Changpeng Zhao has agreed to serve in an advisory capacity, offering strategic input on blockchain adoption and regulatory policy. His involvement is expected to provide valuable technical expertise and reinforce the credibility of Kyrgyzstan’s digital transformation agenda on the international stage.
As the global crypto ecosystem continues to expand, the Kyrgyz Republic’s proactive stance, combined with Binance’s support, is being viewed as a potential model for how emerging markets can integrate digital asset strategies into broader economic development plans. The partnership is set to mark a new phase in Kyrgyzstan’s digital journey, positioning it as a regional leader in responsible blockchain adoption.