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Finance · Regulation

Uzbekistan Fintech Strategy 2030 Approved: Open Banking and wCBDC

On 24 September 2026 the Central Bank of Uzbekistan announced the approval of the National Fintech Strategy for 2026–2030, and on 25 September it reported on a press conference on the strategy and wCBDC. The document sets out six priorities, Open Banking in 2028–2029 and a wholesale central bank digital currency. What is in the document and how it squares with PQ-359.

· 4 min read · Sogdium Editorial
A matte glass panel with a three-phase roadmap, next to a smartphone and a document folder with a turquoise spine on a light background

In brief: On 24 September 2026 the Central Bank of Uzbekistan (CBU) announced that it had approved the National Strategy for the Development of Financial Technologies for 2026–2030 — Uzbekistan's fintech strategy to 2030; on 25 September the CBU reported on a press conference on the strategy and wCBDC. The main objective, according to the CBU release of 24 September 2026 ("Central Bank of Uzbekistan Approves the National Strategy for the Development of Financial Technologies for 2026–2030"), is "to position Uzbekistan, by the end of 2030, as the most attractive jurisdictions in Central Asia for FinTech companies." The roadmap places Open Banking in 2028–2029, and the initiatives include a wholesale central bank digital currency (wCBDC).

Uzbekistan's fintech strategy: key facts

  • The document. The presentation "National Fintech Strategy 2026–2030" (18 slides, September 2026), in English and Uzbek, is attached to the CBU releases of 24 September 2026 and 25 September 2026.
  • Legal basis. Presidential Resolution PQ-359 of 27 November 2025 (in force since 28 November 2025; no amendments to the text noted on lex.uz as of 25 September 2026), para. 6(c): the CBU is "by 1 April 2026, with the involvement of foreign consultants, to develop and submit to the Cabinet of Ministers" a strategy for 2026–2030 (translated from Russian).
  • Targets of PQ-359 of 27 November 2025 (para. 1) for 2026–2030: $1 billion of foreign investment in fintech startups; at least 200 fintech market participants; 100 startups after incubation and acceleration; training for at least 5,000 young people; pilots of digital currencies and stable tokens as a means of payment.

CBU Governor Timur Ishmetov announced the introduction of the strategy at the Silk Road Finance & Technology Forum, Podrobno.uz reported on 24 August 2026.

Six priorities and the roadmap to 2030

The priorities (CBU release of 24 September 2026): "developing a thriving and enabling FinTech ecosystem; strengthening risk-ready supervision; deepening regional integration; positioning Uzbekistan as a Fintech gateway to Central Asia; advancing technology-driven finance; and fostering a trusted and dynamic financial environment." Key initiatives, according to the same release, include "the development of an Innovation Hub, the enhancement of Regulatory Sandbox 2.0, the introduction of Open Banking/Open Finance and open API standards, the improvement of digital identity infrastructure, and stronger regional payment connectivity."

Phase (CBU strategy, September 2026)What is planned, including
2026–2027, Foundation"Establish the Innovation Hub", "Launch the enhanced Regulatory Sandbox", "Develop the National FinTech Skills Framework", "Initiate pilots utilising Digital Identity Infrastructure"
2028–2029, Scale"Roll out Open Banking / Open APIs"; under PQ-359 of 27 November 2025 (para. 5(a)) — "by 1 September 2026" (translated from Russian); "Expand Digital Identity Infrastructure across the financial sector", "Launch cross-border interoperability pilots"
2030, Leadership"Become a regional hub for fintech innovation and investment"

The CBU put the draft regulation on the new sandbox out for discussion on 16 September 2026: three tracks.

Open Banking: the deadline in the strategy and in PQ-359

PQ-359 of 27 November 2025 (para. 5(a)) endorsed the CBU's proposal to introduce "by 1 September 2026 the 'open banking' system" (translated from Russian). In the roadmap of the strategy approved according to the CBU release of 24 September 2026, the rollout of Open Banking / Open APIs is scheduled for 2028–2029. The CBU releases of 24 and 25 September 2026 and the strategy presentation do not explain how the two deadlines relate.

wCBDC: what the CBU said about a digital currency

According to the CBU release of 25 September 2026, the press conference "considered the potential use of wCBDC for wholesale settlements between banks and financial institutions, based on an analytical report prepared by the Central Bank." The analysis examined its potential application for "the simultaneous transfer of securities and corresponding payments, round-the-clock settlement, and cross-border transactions, provided that the systems of partner countries are interoperable." The release does not report any decision to issue a wCBDC. Stablecoins are being tested separately, in the NAPP and CBU sandbox (the HUMO pilot).

FAQ

Has Uzbekistan's fintech strategy to 2030 been approved? Yes. In its release of 24 September 2026 the Central Bank of Uzbekistan announced the approval of the strategy for 2026–2030; the number and date of the decision were not given. The Central Bank was instructed to develop it by PQ-359 of 27 November 2025 (para. 6(c)).

When will Open Banking arrive in Uzbekistan? The roadmap of the CBU strategy (September 2026) places the launch of Open Banking in 2028–2029. PQ-359 of 27 November 2025 (para. 5(a)) set the deadline "by 1 September 2026" (translated from Russian).

Will Uzbekistan have a digital soum? The CBU releases of 24 and 25 September 2026 and the strategy presentation contain no decision to issue a digital currency. According to the release of 25 September 2026, the regulator is studying a wholesale wCBDC for interbank and cross-border settlements; a retail digital currency is not mentioned there.

How much fintech investment does Uzbekistan want to attract? $1 billion of foreign investment in fintech startups over 2026–2030 — a target of PQ-359 of 27 November 2025 (para. 1(a)).

Sources

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