Is crypto legal in Uzbekistan?

Yes, crypto is legal in Uzbekistan, but the market is closed and licensed. As of October 2026, Uzbek residents are meant to trade only through local providers approved by the National Agency of Perspective Projects (NAPP), the state body that regulates crypto. Crypto is classed as an asset, not money.

Which crypto exchanges are allowed in Uzbekistan?

A presidential decree of April 27, 2022 set out the types of crypto service providers: exchanges, mining pools, depositories and crypto shops. From January 1, 2023, Uzbek citizens and companies may buy, sell or exchange crypto only through licensed providers. In August 2022 NAPP confirmed to ForkLog that access to unlicensed exchanges had been blocked, citing their handling of residents' personal data without local servers.

NAPP reported that by early 2024 there were 14 licensed providers: two exchanges, two depositories and ten crypto shops. That count may have changed since. The Paypers reported that licensed providers handled more than $1 billion in 2024.

How does the Uzbekistan NAPP crypto license work?

NAPP issues licenses and keeps public registries of licensed service providers, mining permits and crypto records. Providers pay regulatory fees, which The Paypers said doubled in 2024. Foreign firms that want to serve Uzbek residents generally need a local license rather than serving customers from abroad. For a wider view of how licensing regimes compare, see crypto regulation around the world.

Is bitcoin mining legal in Uzbekistan?

Yes, but only for companies. Rules reported by Cointelegraph in October 2023 say only legal entities may mine, after obtaining a permit and license. Individual mining is banned. Miners must use solar power, with use of the national grid allowed only in cases set by law. They must also mine at a registered address and pay set fees. Mining privacy coins such as Monero is prohibited. For how mining works in general, see how bitcoin mining works.

What is changing for crypto in Uzbekistan in 2026?

In December 2025, The Paypers reported a new decree creating a supervised testing regime from January 1, 2026. It lets regulated stablecoins be tried for payments under strict oversight and supports trials of tokenized stocks and bonds. NAPP runs the sandbox jointly with the central bank. Even so, crypto remains an asset rather than legal tender, and residents still face the requirement to use licensed local providers.

Rules differ by country and change often. Check the tax authority or a qualified professional for your own situation.