Ukraine's central bank blocks crypto purchases in local currency amid martial law

The National Bank of Ukraine on Friday has banned payments in cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin (BTC-USD) and Ethereum (ETH-USD), using the nation's local currency amid martial law, which was enforced since Russia's invasion, according to a release. Specifically, Ukrainians can only purchase cryptos with foreign currency, with a purchase limits of 100K hryvnia ($3.4K) per month, the central bank said. The move comes in an effort to "prevent unproductive outflow of capital from the country" and to "help improve the foreign exchange market, which is a necessary prerequisite for further easing of restrictions, as well as reducing pressure on Ukraine's international reserves," the NBU said. In the beginning of March, Ukraine started accepting Dogecoin (DOGE-USD) for crypto donations.