Kyrgyzstan Launches Stablecoin on BNB Chain, Eyes National CBDC by 2026

Kyrgyzstan Rolls Out the KGST Stablecoin

Kyrgyzstan has officially launched its first national stablecoin, KGST, pegged 1:1 to the Kyrgyzstani som, as part of an ambitious plan to modernize its financial infrastructure and embrace blockchain innovation.

The move was confirmed during the second meeting of the National Council for the Development of Virtual Assets and Blockchain Technologies, attended by President Sadyr Japarov and former Binance CEO Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, who now serves as a strategic adviser to the council.

KGST runs on the BNB Chain, and according to CZ, BNB will likely be included in the country’s upcoming crypto reserve. The reserve will serve as a strategic pool of digital assets to strengthen financial stability and attract investment into Kyrgyzstan’s growing crypto economy.

National Crypto Reserve and CBDC Plans

Local outlet KG24 reported that Kyrgyzstan’s crypto committee has two months to propose a framework for a national crypto reserve, ensuring KGST is listed on global platforms to enhance its liquidity and international presence.

President Japarov instructed the Ministry of Economy and Commerce to accelerate the legislative groundwork for digital assets, while the National Bank of the Kyrgyz Republic begins pilot testing of the digital som, the country’s upcoming central bank digital currency (CBDC).

The CBDC pilot will unfold in three stages:

• Connecting commercial banks to enable interbank transfers.

• Integrating the Central Treasury for public sector payments and social programs.

• Testing offline and low-connectivity transactions before a nationwide rollout.

From Stablecoin to CBDC Leadership

While Kyrgyzstan plans to finalize its CBDC decision by late 2026, the digital som project could make it one of the first Central Asian countries to issue a fully functional national digital currency. 

Globally, over 100 nations are currently exploring or developing CBDCs - but only three are live so far: the Bahamas’ Sand Dollar, Nigeria’s e-Naira, and Jamaica’s JAM-DEX.

Analysts say Kyrgyzstan’s dual approach - combining a government-backed stablecoin with a phased CBDC pilot - could make it a regional model for hybrid digital finance systems.

Education and Innovation at the Core

Beyond infrastructure, Kyrgyzstan is also investing in education and blockchain literacy. President Japarov urged the Ministry of Science and Innovation to craft a digital financial literacy program and establish AI and blockchain training hubs.

CZ announced that Binance Academy will be integrated into 10 Kyrgyz universities, offering localized blockchain education and a fully translated version of the Binance app to boost nationwide accessibility.

This comes just days after CZ received a full pardon from U.S. President Donald Trump, allowing him to re-engage in global crypto projects and advisory roles.

Kyrgyzstan’s Digital Future Takes Shape

By combining a national stablecoin, a developing CBDC, and blockchain education, Kyrgyzstan is emerging as one of the most forward-looking crypto nations in Central Asia.

With CZ’s strategic guidance, strong government backing, and a growing regulatory framework, the country’s digital transformation could position it as a regional leader in fintech innovation by 2026.