Turkmenistan legalizes cryptocurrency mining and trading, but still bans its use as a means of payment

Odaily Planet Daily reports that Turkmenistan President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has signed a decree officially legalizing cryptocurrency mining and trading. The legislation incorporates virtual assets into civil law and establishes a licensing system for cryptocurrency exchanges regulated by the country’s central bank. Nevertheless, digital currencies are still not regarded as a means of payment, legal tender, or securities in the country. Currently, the internet in Turkmenistan remains under strict government regulation. As an economy highly dependent on natural gas exports, this move is seen as a significant shift in its economic policy. (The Washington Post)