Belarus's Crypto-Friendly Regulations Enable Wildberries' Digital Payment Experiment

Wildberries, Russia’s largest e-commerce platform, has begun piloting cryptocurrency payments for Belarusian users through a partnership with Whitebird, a licensed fintech firm operating under the Belarus Hi-Tech Park (HTP) regulatory framework. The initiative allows customers to convert Bitcoin, Ethereum, and TON into Belarusian ruble-based electronic gift certificates, which can then be used to purchase goods on the Wildberries platformRussia’s Wildberries Lets Shoppers Pay with Bitcoin in Belarus^[1]. This hybrid model avoids direct cryptocurrency transactions with merchants, instead intermediating through ruble-denominated certificates to align with national financial regulationsWildberries Belarus Launches Crypto Payments Pilot^[2]. The service is currently limited to a pilot group of users and operates via Whitebird’s platform, where real-time conversion rates and no commissions are offeredRussia’s largest online retailer Wildberries launches crypto …^[3].

The pilot reflects Belarus’s broader efforts to foster a crypto-friendly environment. Since 2018, the country has legalized digital asset businesses within the HTP, which provides tax incentives and a special legal regime for IT and blockchain enterprisesWildberries, one of Eastern Europe's largest online marketplaces, …^[4]. Whitebird, a resident of the HTP, facilitates the process by handling anti-money laundering (AML) checks, audits, and user verificationThe Chainalysis 2025 Global Adoption Index^[5]. Funds loaded onto certificates cannot be withdrawn, ensuring they are exclusively used for Wildberries purchasesReal-Time Crypto News Feed | 24/7 Flash News | Phemex^[6]. This approach mitigates risks for the e-commerce giant while supporting the Belarusian government’s push to modernize its fintech sectorBlockchain Statistics (2025) — Adoption Rates & More^[7].

The initiative aligns with forecasts that Belarusian crypto transaction volumes could reach $3 billion by 2025, driven by growing consumer adoption and regulatory clarityWildberries Belarus Launches Crypto Payments Pilot^[8]. Wildberries’ entry into digital asset payments marks its first foray into the space and underscores the contrast between Belarus’s progressive stance and Russia’s restrictive crypto policies, where consumer-facing crypto transactions remain largely prohibitedDeFiying gravity? An empirical analysis of cross-border …^[9]. By leveraging Belarus’s regulated framework, the platform aims to test consumer demand for crypto-based commerce while contributing to financial innovation in the regionRussia’s largest online retailer Wildberries launches crypto …^[10].

The pilot also highlights the role of stablecoins in cross-border transactions. Tether (USDT) is among the supported cryptocurrencies, reflecting its widespread use in remittances and institutional activityThe Chainalysis 2025 Global Adoption Index^[11]. However, the service is exclusive to Belarus, as Russian regulations currently bar similar initiativesWildberries Belarus Launches Crypto Payments Pilot^[12]. This geographic limitation underscores the importance of regional regulatory environments in shaping crypto adoption, with Belarus emerging as a hub for innovation in Eastern EuropeRussia’s largest online retailer Wildberries launches crypto …^[13].

Analysts note that the program could influence broader fintech trends in the region. By promoting crypto adoption through a regulated, consumer-friendly model, Wildberries and Whitebird may encourage other businesses to explore digital asset integrationsWildberries, one of Eastern Europe's largest online marketplaces, …^[14]. The success of the pilot could also inform future regulatory developments in Belarus, where President Aleksandr Lukashenko has emphasized the need for oversight to balance growth with financial stabilityBelarusian President Backs Crypto and Cash Adoption to^[15].