Kyrgyzstan's Central Bank Partners With CertiK for Digital Som Launch
In brief
- National Bank of Kyrgyzstan and CertiK signed long-term partnership for digital som security and asset oversight
- CertiK provides security assessments, cybersecurity, and risk management technical support
- Kyrgyzstan targets initial digital som pilot by end of 2026, real-world testing in 2027
Partnership scope and technical support
CertiK will provide technical and strategic support based on its experience in digital asset security and risk management. The two organizations will exchange expertise and explore regulatory advisory work covering AML/CFT, digital asset custody, security standards and licensing requirements.
CertiK's Supervision and Compliance solutions may be deployed to support ongoing risk monitoring and regulatory oversight. This framework positions CertiK as a technical backbone for Kyrgyzstan's digital asset infrastructure as the country moves forward with its regulatory overhaul.
Digital som timeline and blockchain strategy
Kyrgyzstan plans to launch testing of a digital som as it expands its blockchain strategy. The National Bank is tasked with completing initial digital som pilot testing by the end of 2026, with real-world testing expected to begin in 2027.
Beyond the digital currency itself, authorities will build a unified platform for virtual asset licensing and supervision. Pilot testing of this licensing framework is expected from January 1, 2027. The partnership with CertiK reflects Kyrgyzstan's commitment to embedding security and compliance into these systems from the ground up, rather than retrofitting safeguards later.
Why this matters
Sanzhar Abdygaziev, Member of the Board of the NBKR, said the memorandum establishes a framework for further dialogue and cooperation. Ronghui Gu, co-founder and CEO of CertiK, emphasized that digital asset infrastructure requires security and risk management to be considered from the earliest stages of design through ongoing operation.
This partnership signals that Kyrgyzstan is treating its digital som and broader virtual asset ecosystem as critical infrastructure requiring professional-grade security oversight from day one.
