The National Bank of Tajikistan (NBT) has officially denied recent reports circulating online about the launch of a cryptocurrency exchange in the country.

In a statement posted on its website, the country’s financial regulator dismissed the claims published by unnamed media outlets and social networks as unfounded.  The bank noted that some publications cited the NBT chairman as a source but failed to specify when and where such information was allegedly provided.

“In the era of advancing digital technologies and rapid development of artificial intelligence, creating and spreading fake news, photos, and videos has become much easier.  The risk of false information circulating in society has significantly increased,” the NBT statement emphasized.

To prevent and reduce the negative impact of baseless information, the NBT urged the public to “not trust news from dubious websites and to rely only on information published by official government ministries and agencies.”

Earlier, several internet sources reported that Tajikistan’s first cryptocurrency exchange had been launched within the recently established IT Park in Dushanbe.  For example, bits.media, citing NBT chairman Firdavs Tolibzoda, claimed the exchange operates under a regulated framework, allowing local entrepreneurs and investors to safely trade digital assets.

Other media outlets referred to an interview with Khurshed Faizullozoda, Director of the Agency for Innovations and Digital Technologies under the President of Tajikistan, published in the government newspaper Jumhuriyat.  Faizullozoda reportedly said, “The newly created IT Park has begun activities in cryptocurrency and stock exchanges.  Its operations are regulated within the ‘regulatory sandbox.’ The crypto exchange is connected to the global crypto asset market.  Through it, our banks interested in this area can participate in crypto asset exchanges.”

 

What is a cryptocurrency exchange?

A cryptocurrency exchange is an online platform where users can buy, sell, and trade cryptocurrencies. These exchanges also serve as storage locations for digital assets and facilitate the exchange of one type of crypto asset for another.

Exchanges operate by matching buy and sell orders from users, completing transactions when conditions align. Some well-known global crypto exchanges include Coinbase, Binance, Changelly, Bittrex, and Kraken.