International experience shows that cryptocurrencies are increasingly being used to finance elections. In particular, in Moldova and Romania, schemes involving voter bribery using virtual assets were uncovered in 2024–2025. Their attractiveness to malicious actors stems from a relatively high level of anonymity, allowing them to conceal the origin of funds, hide the sender’s identity, and bypass legal restrictions.

During the discussion, participants analyzed the nature of crypto assets and the risks they pose to the transparency of democratic processes, drawing on the experience of Moldova and Romania. Special attention was paid to the Ukrainian context, including an assessment of the readiness of state institutions to counter abuse, as well as discussions on regulatory approaches and mechanisms for interagency cooperation.

As a result of the discussion, key steps for the legislative regulation of this area were outlined, which will help reduce the risks of illicit political financing.

To ensure transparency and accountability in political financing, it is necessary to introduce clear rules for the reporting of crypto assets in financial statements, strengthen cooperation with cryptocurrency platforms, financial institutions, and law enforcement agencies, and enhance international coordination.

The event was held within the framework of the U-VOTE project, supported by Norway and implemented by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). Participants included representatives of the National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP), the Central Election Commission, the National Police of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine, civil society organizations, and international experts from Moldova and Romania.