Binance Halts Ethiopian Birr Trading Amid Regulatory Crackdown

Binance's decision to suspend trading in the Ethiopian Birr (ETB) reflects growing regulatory pressure on digital platforms operating in Africa.

The move, set to take effect on May 15, 2026, comes as Ethiopia's National Bank works towards establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrency transactions.

Currently, peer-to-peer (P2P) cryptocurrency transactions denominated in ETB are considered illegal unless explicitly authorized by the central bank, citing concerns over fraud risks and extreme price volatility.

The suspension also mirrors regional trends of tightening oversight on crypto platforms, with authorities in neighboring Kenya freezing Binance accounts in April 2026 as part of ongoing investigations.