REGULATION | Binance Says Ethiopian Birr Remains Unavailable Despite Restoring Access for Ethiopian Users

Binance has clarified that the Ethiopian Birr (ETB) remains unavailable on its platform walking back earlier reports suggesting the exchange had restored support for the local currency after regaining access for users in Ethiopia.

The exchange said that while Ethiopian users can once again access Binance through the country’s telecom network following regulatory engagements, trading pairs and services involving the Ethiopian birr have not been reinstated.

“Binance remains committed to complying with all applicable laws and guidance from the Ethiopian authorities and will continue to support users while contributing to the long-term development of the industry in Ethiopia,” the company said.

The clarification comes after Ethiopia’s central bank tightened its stance on cryptocurrency transactions involving the birr earlier this year.

In a public notice, the National Bank of Ethiopia declared that birr-denominated peer-to-peer (P2P) cryptocurrency transactions are prohibited unless explicitly authorized, warning that such activities expose users to

• fraud,
• foreign exchange manipulation,
• money laundering risks, and
• the absence of consumer protections.

The restrictions prompted Binance to suspend Ethiopian birr trading on its platform in May 2026 saying it was working with regulators and hoped to restore the service in the future. The move highlighted the growing regulatory scrutiny of crypto-fiat trading channels in Ethiopia where Binance’s P2P marketplace had become an important avenue for freelancers, remote workers, importers, and businesses seeking access to foreign currency amid persistent dollar shortages.

Binance has not indicated when, or if, support for the Ethiopian birr will return.

Stay tuned to BitKE for the latest crypto regulatory updates across Africa.

Join our WhatsApp channel here.

Follow us on X for the latest posts and updates

Join and interact with our Telegram community

_________________________________________