Ukrainian Pharmacy Giant ANC Drugstore Teams Up with Binance to Take Bitcoin Payments

Ukraine’s big-name pharmacy chain, ANC Drugstore, is jumping into the crypto game, partnering with Binance Ukraine to let customers pay with Bitcoin via Binance Pay. Announced on January 3, 2023, the move means folks can now snag meds and health goodies online from ANC’s 1,000-plus stores and settle up instantly—starting with a rollout in Kyiv. War or no war, these pharmacies are keeping the digital cash flowing.

Here’s how it works: download the Binance app, hop on ANC’s website, pick your stuff, pay with Binance Pay, and grab it at a designated spot. Binance boss CZ gave it a shoutout on Twitter, confirming the buzz. It’s the latest win for Binance in Ukraine, where they’ve been planting flags hard. Back in September 2022, they linked up with grocery chain Varus for crypto payments, and just before Russia’s invasion in February, local GM Kirill Khomyakov was hyping a Binance Card launch as a top 2022 goal.

ANC is the biggest pharmacy chain with 1000+ stores. Adoption

Ukrainian pharmacies enable crypto payments via #Binance Pay https://t.co/vcrqkHv9YP

— CZ 🔶 BNB (@cz_binance) January 3, 2023

Khomyakov’s quick to note that while straight-up Bitcoin payments are a no-go under Ukrainian law, Binance Card and Pay transactions skate by legally. It’s a workaround that’s opening doors—like this ANC deal. And it’s not just ANC jumping in; their sister brands, Kopiyka and Shara, are on board too, making them the only pharmacies in Europe taking crypto, per the release.

This isn’t just about flashy payments—blockchain’s promising a health sector shakeup, beefing up security, privacy, and data sharing. Think smoother medical records and a patient-first vibe. It’s no cure-all, but with Ukraine’s crypto scene heating up despite the chaos, it’s prime turf for testing the waters. ANC’s move? Another sign blockchain’s not just hype—it’s hitting the shelves.