Kyrgyzstan's Zhaparov orders digital som pilot by Dec 31, 2026

September 6, 2026 at 11:43 AM1 min

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Kyrgyz President Sadyr Zhaparov ordered the development of a digital som platform with pilot testing by December 31, 2026. The directive came at a National Council meeting in Cholpon-Ata, where officials reported crypto transactions reached 2.2 trillion som in the first half of 2026. Kyrgyzstan ranks 19th globally in crypto adoption.

Key Facts

Kyrgyzstan's crypto transaction volume reached 2.2 trillion som in the first half of 2026.
President Sadyr Zhaparov ordered pilot testing of the digital som by December 31, 2026.
Kyrgyzstan ranks 19th in the global crypto adoption index.
A state stablecoin is already being issued, according to presidential adviser Changpeng Zhao.
Leading technical universities have opened master's programs for digital asset specialists.

Digital Som Directive

President Sadyr Zhaparov instructed the government to develop a basic digital som platform and complete pilot testing by December 31, 2026. From 2027, the digital som will undergo real-world testing followed by phased national rollout. The directive was announced at a National Council meeting on virtual assets and blockchain in Cholpon-Ata. Zhaparov noted that a state digital currency currently operates fully in only three countries worldwide.

Crypto Market Growth

Crypto asset transactions in Kyrgyzstan exceeded 2.2 trillion som in the first half of 2026, nearly matching the Russian ruble volume. The country ranks 19th in the global crypto adoption index and is a Central Asian pioneer in basic regulatory framework. Presidential adviser Changpeng Zhao highlighted technological progress in crypto registration and the issuance of a stablecoin. A new platform will digitize licensing and state supervision processes for virtual assets.

Talent Pipeline

Leading technical universities in Kyrgyzstan have opened master's programs and specialist training courses for the digital asset market. Authorities plan to integrate distributed ledgers into administrative procedures and attract specialized investors.