The National Bank closed a loophole through which up to $2.6 billion could be withdrawn from Ukraine in March-April. This is stated on the website of the NBU.

The regulator has established that now individuals will be able to perform quasi-cash operations (topping up electronic wallets, brokerage or forex accounts, paying traveler's checks, buying virtual assets) using only their own foreign currency.

The limit for such operations is UAH 100,000. per month equivalent. It also applies to cross-border P2P transfers.

According to the estimates of the National Bank, the relevant changes will help improve the situation on the foreign exchange market, which is a prerequisite for easing restrictions in the future, as well as reducing pressure on Ukraine's international reserves.

According to the NBU, since the end of March, the supply and demand for export-import transactions of clients in the foreign exchange market are generally balanced.. At the same time, significant volumes of currency purchases by banks for settlements with international payment systems put some additional pressure on the foreign exchange market..

In particular, in March, the volume of net transfers of foreign currency by Ukrainian banks in favor of international payment systems amounted to 1.7 billion. dol. USA, and from the beginning of April (as of April 18) - $ 0.9 billion. USA.

On the one hand, the need for settlements with international payment systems arises due to the use by Ukrainian citizens of cards issued by Ukrainian banks to accounts in national currency outside the country for the purchase of goods and services.. At the same time, such calculations are critically necessary for millions of citizens who were forced to temporarily go abroad..

On the other hand, payment cards are also used to pay for " Therefore, the corresponding transactions should be interpreted as leading to the unproductive withdrawal of capital from the country. As a result, the National Bank partially limited the possibility of such transactions.

The introduced changes do not apply to the use of payment cards abroad and in Ukraine for settlements in order to pay for the cost of goods, works and services that can be performed without restrictions.