Crypto Ban in Bangladesh: What It Means and How It Compares to Other Countries
When the Crypto Ban in Bangladesh, a strict prohibition on all cryptocurrency transactions enforced by the Central Bank of Bangladesh since 2021. Also known as Bangladesh cryptocurrency prohibition, it makes buying, selling, or mining Bitcoin or Ethereum a legal gray zone—technically illegal, but widely ignored in practice. Unlike countries that slowly eased restrictions, Bangladesh hasn’t budged. Banks still block crypto-related transactions. Exchanges can’t operate legally. Yet, people still trade via P2P apps, local brokers, and hidden wallets. Why? Because inflation is high, remittances are vital, and global crypto use keeps growing—even if the government says no.
Compare this to Tunisia, a nation that also banned crypto in 2018 but now faces growing pressure to reverse course as youth-driven adoption surges. Or look at Bolivia, which lifted its decade-long ban in 2024 and saw $294 million in crypto trades within six months. Even Thailand, which cracked down on foreign P2P platforms in 2025, still licenses local exchanges. Bangladesh stands alone in its rigid refusal. The Central Bank of Bangladesh still claims crypto is a threat to financial stability, but no one’s been prosecuted for holding Bitcoin. Meanwhile, traders use Telegram groups, WhatsApp networks, and cash meetups to bypass the rules.
What’s missing in Bangladesh isn’t demand—it’s clarity. People aren’t breaking laws to gamble. They’re using crypto to send money home, protect savings from currency collapse, or access global markets. In Nigeria, the Central Bank went from banning crypto to regulating it. In Iceland, a single regulated exchange now lets locals buy Bitcoin with krona. Bangladesh could follow. But right now, it’s stuck in a loop of denial. The posts below show you how other countries handled the same dilemma—and what’s actually working on the ground. You’ll see who’s getting punished, who’s adapting, and who’s winning by ignoring the ban altogether.
- By Eva van den Bergh
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- 15 Nov 2025
Why 600,000 Bangladeshis Use Binance Despite Government Crypto Ban
Over 600,000 Bangladeshis use Binance despite a government crypto ban, turning to crypto for remittances, savings, and trade. This is how they do it-and why the ban isn't working.