Wildberries, the leading e-commerce company in Russia, has started a trial program enabling users in Belarus to pay with cryptocurrency, thanks to a collaboration with Whitebird, a regulated fintech provider under the Belarus Hi-Tech Park (HTP) framework. This project lets customers exchange
This pilot is part of Belarus’s broader strategy to encourage a crypto-supportive climate. Since 2018, digital asset businesses have been permitted within the HTP, which offers tax breaks and a unique legal environment for IT and blockchain companies Wildberries, one of Eastern Europe's largest online marketplaces, … [ 4 ]. Whitebird, an HTP member, manages anti-money laundering checks, auditing, and user verification The Chainalysis 2025 Global Adoption Index [ 5 ]. The funds loaded onto the gift cards are non-withdrawable, ensuring they are only spent on Wildberries Real-Time Crypto News Feed | 24/7 Flash News | Phemex [ 6 ]. This setup reduces risk for Wildberries while supporting Belarus’s ambitions to advance its fintech sector Blockchain Statistics (2025) — Adoption Rates & More [ 7 ].
The program comes as forecasts predict that crypto transactions in Belarus could hit $3 billion by 2025, fueled by increasing user interest and clear regulations Wildberries Belarus Launches Crypto Payments Pilot [ 8 ]. Wildberries’ move into digital asset payments is its first, highlighting the difference between Belarus’s open approach and Russia’s more restrictive stance, where consumer crypto payments are mostly banned DeFiying gravity? An empirical analysis of cross-border … [ 9 ]. By operating within Belarus’s regulated system, Wildberries is testing demand for crypto shopping and contributing to financial innovation in the area Russia’s largest online retailer Wildberries launches crypto … [ 10 ].
The pilot also draws attention to the significance of stablecoins in international payments.
Experts suggest that this initiative could influence broader fintech developments in the region. By introducing crypto payments through a regulated and user-friendly model, Wildberries and Whitebird may inspire other companies to consider digital asset solutions Wildberries, one of Eastern Europe's largest online marketplaces, … [ 14 ]. The results of this pilot could also shape future regulations in Belarus, where President Aleksandr Lukashenko has called for oversight to ensure growth is balanced with financial security Belarusian President Backs Crypto and Cash Adoption to [ 15 ].