Cambodia Crypto Regulations: What You Need to Know in 2025

When it comes to Cambodia crypto regulations, the legal status of cryptocurrency in Cambodia is ambiguous but increasingly restrictive, with authorities treating digital assets as unregulated financial instruments under strict oversight. Also known as crypto laws in Cambodia, these rules are shaping up to be among the toughest in Southeast Asia, even though there’s no outright ban like in Algeria or Tunisia. Unlike countries that issue licenses for exchanges, Cambodia’s central bank, the National Bank of Cambodia, has never approved any crypto trading platform. That means every exchange you use — whether Binance, Kraken, or a local one — operates in a legal gray zone.

That gray zone is getting smaller. In 2023, the government started cracking down on crypto advertising, shutting down local influencers who promoted crypto as a get-rich-quick tool. Then came the warnings: using crypto for payments or remittances could trigger money laundering investigations. The National Bank doesn’t recognize Bitcoin or Ethereum as legal tender, and they’ve made it clear that any financial activity involving crypto falls under their anti-fraud and financial crime units. If you’re sending crypto to a friend in Phnom Penh or using it to buy goods online, you’re not breaking a law — but you’re not protected by one either. That’s a big difference.

What about mining? It’s practically nonexistent in Cambodia. High electricity costs, no tax breaks, and zero infrastructure support make it pointless. Even if you set up a rig, you’re just risking your own money without any legal safety net. The real risk isn’t jail time — yet — but losing your funds to scams or frozen accounts. Cambodia has seen a spike in crypto-related fraud cases, and victims often have no recourse. Local police don’t have the tools to trace blockchain transactions, and banks won’t help unless there’s a clear criminal complaint.

So who’s affected? Mostly young Cambodians trying to use crypto for remittances, small business owners looking for cheaper payments, and traders chasing high-yield DeFi projects. None of them are protected. No consumer safeguards. No insurance. No dispute resolution. If a platform disappears, your money disappears with it. And unlike in Japan or Canada, where regulators enforce clear rules, Cambodia’s approach is reactive — they wait for problems to happen, then react with silence or threats.

But here’s the twist: the government isn’t trying to kill crypto. They’re trying to control it. There are rumors of a central bank digital currency (CBDC) in development, and officials have hinted that future crypto activity might be allowed — if it’s licensed, monitored, and taxed. Until then, you’re on your own. If you’re trading, holding, or using crypto in Cambodia, you’re doing it at your own risk. No one’s coming to save your funds if things go wrong.

Below, you’ll find real stories and breakdowns from people who’ve navigated this mess — from the airdrop scams that tricked hundreds to the exchanges that vanished overnight. We’ve pulled together what actually happened, what’s still active, and what you should avoid in 2025. No fluff. Just facts.