Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan legalized cryptocurrency via the Law on Virtual Assets (signed November 28, 2025, effective January 1, 2026). Crypto exchanges and custodial services may operate under Central Bank of Turkmenistan licenses. Mining is permitted with mandatory central bank registration. Digital assets are classified as property (not legal tender or securities), divided into backed and unbacked categories. Anonymous wallets and covert mining are prohibited. Credit institutions are barred from offering crypto services. State retains broad authority to halt, void, or force refunds of token issuances. Internet penetration remains at ~46%, and capital controls limit practical adoption.

Overview

StatusRestricted
Risk Score95/100 (Very High Risk)
Regioncentral asia
CurrencyTMT

Tax Information

Capital Gains (Personal)N/A
Capital Gains (Corporate)N/A
VAT on CryptoNo
Staking TaxN/A
Airdrop TaxN/A

No crypto-specific tax guidance available.

Licensing & Registration

RequiredYes
RegulatorCBT
FrameworkLaw on Virtual Assets (Zakon Turkmenistana 'O virtual'nykh aktivakh'), signed November 28, 2025, effective January 1, 2026
Easevery_complex

Enforcement Activity

Level: Low

No detailed enforcement information available

AML / KYC

KYC RequiredNo
Travel RuleNo
FATF MemberNo
FATF Statusnon_compliant
FATF BodyEAG
Suspicious-Activity ReportingNo

DeFi, Stablecoins & NFTs

Status: Banned

Stablecoins

Status: Banned

NFTs

Status: Banned

Mining

LegalNo
Electricity Cost$0.01/kWh
Renewable Energy25%
Infrastructurepoor

Crypto mining is banned in Turkmenistan. Electricity is cheap but infrastructure and internet access are poor, limiting mining viability.

Geopolitical Risk

Stabilityunstable
SanctionsNo
Corruption Index17/100
Banking Accessvery_restricted

Risk Factors

Turkmenistan remains one of the world's most repressive states. Freedom House 2025/2026: 1/100 (Not Free), internet freedom 16/100. TI Corruption Perceptions Index 2025: 17/100, ranked 167/182. No OFAC, EU, or UN sanctions. EAG 44th Plenary scheduled in Ashgabat May 2026.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Is cryptocurrency legal in Turkmenistan?

Turkmenistan legalized cryptocurrency via the Law on Virtual Assets (signed November 28, 2025, effective January 1, 2026). Crypto exchanges and custodial services may operate under Central Bank of Turkmenistan licenses. Mining is permitted with mandatory central bank registration. Digital assets are classified as property (not legal tender or securities), divided into backed and unbacked categories. Anonymous wallets and covert mining are prohibited. Credit institutions are barred from offering

What is the FATF status of Turkmenistan?

Turkmenistan is classified by FATF as: non_compliant.

Are VASPs licensed in Turkmenistan?

Yes, licensing is required for VASPs.

What is the AML/KYC regime in Turkmenistan?

KYC is not universally mandated.

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Last reviewed: 2026-06-01 · Data source: Soken Crypto Legal Map

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