NBU will impose restrictions on outgoing card-to-card transfers by individuals to combat shadow schemes. This was reported by Forbes, citing a statement from the deputy head of the regulator, Dmytro Oleynik.
Currently, a limit of 30 outgoing transfers per month with a total amount not exceeding 100,000 hryvnias is under discussion. The NBU will finalize the decision within a month.
The restrictions will only affect P2P transfers and will not impact incoming payments and other operations, particularly not hindering volunteer fundraising.
According to Oleynik, the regulator is concerned about the widespread occurrence of shadow financial operations involving “drops” and “money mules.” The NBU’s restrictions are intended to complicate the activities of such fraudsters.
Meanwhile, the NBU is confident that 95-98% of bank clients will not be affected, as they transfer significantly smaller amounts of funds monthly.
Back in March 16, 2022, PrivatBank temporarily prohibited its clients from depositing hryvnias on cryptocurrency exchanges, which, however, did not affect the market of Ukrainian trading platforms. The restriction is linked to the decision of the National Bank and is in effect during the period of martial law.
Additionally, to reduce capital outflow from the country, the NBU limited cryptocurrency purchase transactions to 100,000 hryvnias per person per month from the end of April of the same year.
In March 2023, foreign cryptocurrency exchanges reported a temporary suspension of operations through hryvnia bank cards due to intensified efforts against illegal gambling.