Moldova is preparing a comprehensive crypto regulatory framework, acknowledging that outright bans on decentralized digital assets are neither practical nor compatible with its ambitions to join the European Union.
EU Aspirations Shape Moldova’s Crypto Policy
As an official EU candidate country, the Republic of Moldova is required to align its laws with Brussels’ regulatory standards. Finance Minister Andrian Gavriliță confirmed that the government will adopt legislation regulating cryptocurrency investment, trading, and conversion starting in 2026.
Speaking to TVR Moldova and quoted by Eurasia Daily, Gavriliță said the framework will include strict taxation rules and anti-money laundering safeguards, reflecting the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) regulation.
Institutions Drafting a Unified Framework
The bill is currently being drafted by multiple institutions, including the National Bank of Moldova, the National Commission for Financial Markets, and the Office for Prevention and Combating Money Laundering. Their joint effort aims to bring order to a space that has so far operated with limited oversight.
The upcoming law will define who is authorized to conduct crypto transactions, which entities may operate in the market, and how digital assets can be converted into the Moldovan leu or foreign currencies. This clarity is seen as essential for investor protection and regulatory enforcement.
Payments Banned, Ownership Allowed
While ownership and trading will be legalized, Moldova will prohibit the use of cryptocurrencies for payments.
This approach mirrors policies in several EU states, where crypto is treated as an investment asset rather than legal tender. Moldova is also studying the experience of Romania and other EU members, adapting lessons from neighboring markets with similar legal and cultural ties.
Taxation Rules Take Center Stage
Taxation is a core pillar of the reform. Under the proposed regime, crypto holdings themselves will not be taxed, but profits from transactions will be.
Officials argue this structure strikes a balance between encouraging transparency and avoiding punitive measures that could push activity underground.
Security Risks Accelerate Reform
The push to regulate crypto has been accelerated by national security concerns. Gavriliță cited a recent treason case as evidence of the dangers posed by an unregulated sector.
A court in Chișinău recently sentenced Denis Cuculescu to 15 years in prison in absentia for treason and large-scale fraud. Prosecutors allege he used crypto expertise to transfer and cash out funds while assisting a foreign state in hostile activities. Cuculescu is believed to have fled to Russia.
Geopolitics and Crypto Oversight
Moldova’s sensitivity to financial interference is heightened by ongoing tensions with Russia, the war in neighboring Ukraine, and the unresolved status of Transnistria, a pro-Russian breakaway region. Officials see crypto regulation as part of a broader effort to protect financial sovereignty.
By embracing regulation rather than prohibition, Moldova aims to meet EU commitments, protect national security, and provide legal certainty for citizens-while keeping tight control over how digital assets interact with its economy.
