Finance

Uzbekistan Central Bank to Launch Fintech Hub and Stablecoin “Sandbox”

Uzbekistan Central Bank to Launch Fintech Hub and Stablecoin “Sandbox”
Uzbekistan Central Bank to Launch Fintech Hub and Stablecoin “Sandbox” / Photo: UzDaily.

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — On 27 November, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev signed a decree aimed at accelerating the development of financial technologies in Uzbekistan. The document was published on the Ministry of Justice’s legal information channel.

The decree sets a target to increase the number of participants in Uzbekistan’s fintech sector to 200 companies by 2030. Over the next five years, authorities plan to attract up to US$1 billion in foreign direct investment into fintech startups.

A venture fund with a capital of US$50 million will be established under the Central Bank to finance fintech startups. In addition, an innovation hub for fintech companies will be created within the Central Bank.

From 1 January 2026, participants in the hub will be eligible for reimbursement of 50% of training costs (up to US$20,000) for obtaining relevant international certifications. The Central Bank also plans to host annual international fintech forums.

Starting in 2026, a special legal framework for stablecoin operations will be introduced. The Central Bank, together with the National Agency for Advanced Projects, will define the rules and timeline for this “sandbox.” Pilot projects will include blockchain-based payment systems.

Resident Uzbek companies will be allowed to issue tokenized shares and bonds, with separate trading platforms planned at local exchanges for their placement and circulation.

The decree also provides for the rollout of open banking technologies by September 2026, enabling secure data exchange among banks, payment organizations, and other fintech market participants.

Askar Yakubov
Askar Yakubov

Askar Yakubov is a professional photojournalist with extensive experience in news and reportage photography. He specializes in fast-paced coverage of social, political, cultural, international, business, and community events, with a sharp eye for capturing expressive shots and conveying the atmosphere of an event under tight time constraints. His skill set spans reportage, portrait, and documentary photography, along with image editing and color correction, and preparing photo materials for media and digital platforms. He is known for his professionalism, adherence to editorial standards, and ability to work both independently and as part of a shooting team.