Binance Founder Proposes BNB And Bitcoin For Kyrgyzstan’s Strategic Crypto Reserve

Changpeng Zhao (CZ), the co-founder and former CEO of crypto exchange Binance, has taken on a pivotal advisory role in shaping crypto regulations and strategic reserves for various countries. This initiative has gained momentum, especially in the United States under President Donald Trump, and now extends to Central Asia.

Binance’s CZ Signs MoU In Kyrgyzstan

On Monday, Zhao shared a photo on social media platform X (formerly Twitter) showcasing his visit to Kyrgyzstan, a nation that has significantly ramped up its engagement with digital assets in recent months. 

CZ’s visit coincided with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two parties, aimed at fostering collaboration in the digital assets sector.

The MoU was formalized during the inaugural session of the Council for the Development of Digital Assets, an event attended by Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov.

This partnership is reportedly set to introduce Binance Pay in Kyrgyzstan, which will facilitate crypto-based payment solutions, thereby enhancing cross-border payment systems across Central Asia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).

Key components of the collaboration include educational initiatives led by Binance Academy, which will assist the National Agency in designing programs aimed at improving the digital asset knowledge of government officials and financial institutions. 

However, CZ also revealed on social media that he will advise the country to adopt both Bitcoin (BTC) and the exchange’s native token, Binance Coin (BNB), for a national crypto reserve for the Asian country.

Blockchain For ‘Sustainable Economic Opportunities’

Farhat Iminov, head of the National Agency for Investments, expressed enthusiasm about this strategic partnership, emphasizing its potential to transform the crypto-assets landscape in Kyrgyzstan. 

“Together, we aim to create a robust framework that supports the development of crypto-assets, enhances financial literacy, and opens new avenues for cross-border payments, ultimately benefiting our citizens and the broader region,” said Iminov.

Kyrylo Khomiakov, regional head for Binance Central Asia and Africa, echoed these sentiments, stating that the MoU represents a joint vision for leveraging blockchain technology to create sustainable economic opportunities and improve financial inclusion in Kyrgyzstan. 

“We look forward to working closely with our partners at all levels of the Kyrgyz government to implement innovative solutions and educational initiatives that will empower individuals and institutions alike,” he added.

This strategic partnership follows Binance’s recent enhancements to its fiat onramp ecosystem, including the integration of Apple Pay and Google Pay through a partnership with Worldpay. 

This development allows users to seamlessly purchase cryptocurrencies using linked credit or debit cards, streamlining the fiat-to-crypto transaction process.

At the time of writing, BNB is trading at $599, up 2% in the 24-hour time frame. This puts the coin 24% below its all-time high of $788, set during the market’s last rally in December.

Featured image from DALL-E, chart from TradingView.com