When Cambodia crypto ban, a 2022 government order that prohibited the use of cryptocurrencies for payments and trading on local platforms. Also known as crypto prohibition in Cambodia, it was meant to protect citizens from fraud and financial instability, not to stop people from owning digital assets outright. The ban didn’t make holding Bitcoin or Ethereum illegal—it targeted exchanges, payment processors, and businesses that tried to use crypto like cash. This distinction matters because thousands of Cambodians still hold crypto in wallets, even if they can’t buy coffee with it.
The government’s move wasn’t random. It followed a wave of scams tied to pyramid schemes disguised as crypto investments, like the infamous Ponzi schemes, fraudulent investment programs that paid early investors with money from new participants, often disguised as crypto trading platforms. Many locals lost life savings after being lured by promises of 10x returns. The National Bank of Cambodia stepped in hard, shutting down local crypto exchanges and warning the public not to use digital currencies for transactions. At the same time, they pushed their own digital currency project—the e-KHR, Cambodia’s central bank digital currency (CBDC) designed to replace cash and reduce reliance on foreign payment systems. The message was clear: if you want digital money, use ours.
What’s happening in Cambodia reflects a bigger trend across Southeast Asia. Countries like Vietnam and Thailand are building regulated crypto frameworks, while Cambodia chose to shut the door and build its own. That makes it harder for foreign investors to operate there, but it doesn’t mean crypto disappeared. People still trade over peer-to-peer platforms, use VPNs to access international exchanges, and store crypto in non-custodial wallets. The ban created a gray zone—legal to own, illegal to trade locally. For traders, this means higher risk, less liquidity, and more reliance on offshore platforms. For regulators, it’s about control, not innovation.
Below, you’ll find real analysis from posts that dig into how crypto regulations shape markets—not just in Cambodia, but across Asia. From Pakistan’s new legal framework to Vietnam’s licensing rules, you’ll see how different governments are responding to the same challenge: balancing innovation with protection. What works in Singapore doesn’t work in Phnom Penh. And understanding those differences could save you from costly mistakes.
Cambodia's strict banking rules on crypto transactions block most digital asset activity, allowing only licensed stablecoin services under heavy oversight. Learn how the ban affects users, businesses, and financial inclusion in 2025.
