Countries where Bitcoin is “banned”

[usekevin]

Maybe we should just get the clarification just once and for all, the ban we are talking about is of two types, the one that the government place on the banks from using bitcoin and the one the government enact as law against the people from using bitcoin for any acceptable means of payment, so there could be ba as well as bitcoin being an acceptable means of payment which indicates banks were banned but it's legal to use bitcoin in most applicable countries.

Most ban mean,the government will make a law to reduce the usage among the people.This is mostly done by the small countries to reduce the money flow to the external assets.Since crypto currency was the digital asset,the amount of holding can’t be find by the government,for this reason government ban or legalise the cryptocurrency.Legalise will help the government also to get some taxes from the crypto traders.After legalisation,the people can use the bitcoin as one of the payment in their shop or industries.

[Yatsan]

The information is so misleading in many ways. Most of these countries still have active users and as stated by few users the countries that you have mentioned like Egypt, India, Russia, Kosovo and turkey are highly active in the crypto currency trading. You really need to verify the source and also verify information from at least different sources or local sources of those countries. The best way to do this is ask the local boards to participate in this voting and ask the actual situation about bitcoin in their countries.

Even though those countries ban bitcoin that doesn't mean that people living the country will not associate with bitcoin, in my country I have not be in the forum when government ban bitcoin and later the formal vice president in Nigerian made an announcement that bitcoin should be restricted not to ban bitcoin, before that time of the announcement people have being using bitcoin to trade and for other things, what I'm saying is that even though government ban bitcoin what remains will still remain in the bitcoin, so what I want us to understand in bitcoin is that Bitcoin for government to ban it, it will not affect the users of bitcoin.

Maybe we should just get the clarification just once and for all, the ban we are talking about is of two types, the one that the government place on the banks from using bitcoin and the one the government enact as law against the people from using bitcoin for any acceptable means of payment, so there could be ba as well as bitcoin being an acceptable means of payment which indicates banks were banned but it's legal to use bitcoin in most applicable countries.

There are countries wherein this blockchain is neutral wherein they are not supporting its usage but are not also restricting people to use it. In these countries, crypto are accepted as a mode of payment but that is dependent with the merchant or service provider whether to accept it or not. However there are countries as well wherein restrictions are heightened or completely illegal such as with China and Bangladesh to name a few as we all know. So if you are living under countries wherein there is a clear and strict prohibition of its usage, then ofcourse it wouldn't be advisable to still engage into it 'coz if anything will happen, your money would be at risk.

[mvdheuvel1983]

Very soon they'll realize that the ban or restrictions on Bitcoin was a means to propagate and cause mass adoption. People in these  coutnries listed by hstill buy and sell Bitcoin under the radar. And they are thriving.

The governments in these countries are only wasting their time and sort of slowing down economic growth. They will actually lift the ban. It has been a long time since have seen Bitcoin being ban or a restrictions. They are coming to terms s with the reality of things.

[DelskaV]

We know that it is not possible to ban bitcoin directly, but to create mechanisms that make its use or acquisition difficult, running the risk of being arrested, fined or other problems with the government. And there are several countries where they create these impositions on Bitcoin.

With that in mind, I decided to do some research on the subject and found an interesting article from EuroNews - Bitcoin ban: These are the countries where crypto is restricted or illegal. The information contained in the article is already a year old, but it allows you to have an overview.

The article presents 18 countries that have created restrictions on Bitcoin. Here is a small compilation of what is involved in these restrictions in these countries.

#Algeria - Since 2018 it has been illegal to buy, sell, use or hold virtual currencies.
#Bangladesh - Officially there are bans on the use of cryptocurrencies, with penalties of up to 12 years. However, they have had a soft strategy on the subject, with no record of convictions.
#Bolivia - The use of Bitcoin has been prohibited since 2014 (this ban was very early).
#China - We are well aware of China's history with respect to cryptocurrencies, which have intensified their ban after the Terra Luna incident.
#Colombia - Also since 2014, financial institutions cannot have any activity related to Bitcoin: “protect, invest, intermediate or administer virtual money operations”.
#Egypt - By religious decree, since 2018, bitcoin transactions have been prohibited by Islamic law. And since 2020, any trading or promotion of cryptocurrencies must have a license from the Central Bank.
#Indonesia - The use of cryptocurrencies as a form of payment has been banned since 2018.
#Ghana - Despite cryptocurrencies being illegal, there appears to be interest from the central bank in blockchain technology.
#Iran - Cryptocurrencies mined outside the country cannot be traded, but Bitcoin mining is encouraged.
#India - It is one of the worst countries, because since 2021, it is a crime to own, issue, mine, trade and transfer cryptocurrencies.
#Iraq - Efforts have been made to block and hinder the use of cryptocurrencies, despite the fact that they are becoming increasingly popular in the country.
#Kosovo - Due to the energy crisis in the country, any mining activity is prohibited.
#Mexico - Even though cryptocurrencies are banned, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the country - Bitsos, has more than 1 million users.
#Nepal - The central bank has declared Bitcoin illegal since 2017.
#North Macedonia - It is the only European country that officially bans cryptocurrencies.
#Russia - Where some of the largest mining centers in the world are located, despite the fact that it is prohibited and cryptocurrencies can be confiscated.
#Turkey - The direct or indirect use of bitcoin to pay for goods and services is prohibited. And trading on exchanges is limited to a group of companies chosen by the government, under various rules.
#Vietnam - Payments using cryptocurrencies are prohibited, but they can be used as assets.

How do you think bitcoin users deal with these situations?
How do they manage to get around these restrictions without getting caught?
Do you think, what more countries can join this list?

All of them with corrupts goberments and state excess. They can't accept the idea of ​​having a currency that the central bank can't control.

[Bitcoin_people]

How do you think bitcoin users deal with these situations?
How do they manage to get around these restrictions without getting caught?
Do you think, what more countries can join this list?

Since Bitcoin is not authorized in the mentioned countries it is completely legal ban, so using Bitcoin is considered a crime by the government. However, Bitcoin and crypto bans cannot suppress Bitcoin, as Bitcoin is still being used in countries where governments have outlawed Bitcoin. Bitcoin is used by many people in spite of legal restrictions in these countries, especially where I live, most people use Bitcoin. No matter how strict the government laws can never stop cryptocurrency, Bitcoin will always be used and benefited by people. Bitcoin has become the most popular in the global market and as it is currently being used by people, surely the governments of the countries will approve Bitcoin in the mentioned countries as well.

[BlackBoss_]

Since Bitcoin is not authorized in the mentioned countries it is completely legal ban, so using Bitcoin is considered a crime by the government. However, Bitcoin and crypto bans cannot suppress Bitcoin, as Bitcoin is still being used in countries where governments have outlawed Bitcoin.

Bitcoin is decentralized and governments can not censor Bitcoin transactions. They also can not make any request to any person or team to seize your Bitcoin if you don't store it in a centralized platform like a centralized exchange or an online platform with custodial wallet.

You can buy bitcoin from non KYC decentralized exchanges and store it in your non custodial wallet. No governments can seize your bitcoin in your wallet.

No-KYC exchange encyclopedia
https://kycnot.me/

[Obari]

I'm shocked my country doesn't fall in this list because on reading your caption, I went straight to search for my country but was shocked not to see it here ad that was when I had to go back and read the thread well.
My country  makes it seem like owning bitcoin  is a criminal act and there was also an incidence I posted where a woman was harassed because she operated a physical exchange and that draws my attention to a young fellow who also got arrested  by the efcc in my country because he always made it obvious of his cryptocurrency holdings and that also has driven alot of fear to the hearts of holders on the country.

Bjt I also agree with op that bitcoin accomolation  can't really be banned but rather there might be some very strict regulations against it.

I don't know about you but the actual supposed ban of crypto was to not stop anyone from having crypto in Nigeria because I know very well that some major politicians and some iconic members in the country are also housing some Bitcoin up their sleeves and I would also like to draw to your attention about the numerous BATM that are installed all over Lagos city and the federal capital territory FCT ABUJA which I believe if actually Bitcoin and crypto as whole was banned it wouldn't have been possible. I think what Nigeria has on Bitcoin is only a restriction on the Normal fiat bank not to carry out any transactions that is crypto or Bitcoin related due to the obvious fact that the central bank can't actually track and follow up the Bitcoin transactions.

Well I didn't say the country has a ban on cryptocurrency or bitcoin but what I said was that the country makes it seems owning bitcoin  is a crime which isn't and if you've heard or watched the interview  with bitcoinlord, one of the most holders of bitcoin in the country, he made a statement that bitcoin or cryptocurrencies isn't banned in the country but rather, the local banks are been restricted from involving with any cryptocurrencies related transactions and anyone getting involved with it is solely responsible for any losses, just incase there be one.

But realistically,  can you boldly hit your chest and tell the security personnels that you deal with bitcoin or cryptocurrencies in general?

[tbct_mt2]

Well I didn't say the country has a ban on cryptocurrency or bitcoin but what I said was that the country makes it seems owning bitcoin  is a crime

So far, with my limited experience, I have never known any nation in which owning bitcoin is consider as a criminal.

Buying and selling, using it as a payment method, using it as a currency is prohibited are some ban types I know. You are free to own bitcoin IF you don't use any cash or whatever you got from your criminal activities to buy bitcoin or exchange it to get bitcoin.

If you owning bitcoin by clean money or whatever mean is not related to criminal activities, money laundering, you won't have problems with bitcoin you store at home.

[n00ber]

Since Bitcoin is not authorized in the mentioned countries it is completely legal ban, so using Bitcoin is considered a crime by the government. However, Bitcoin and crypto bans cannot suppress Bitcoin, as Bitcoin is still being used in countries where governments have outlawed Bitcoin.

Bitcoin is decentralized and governments can not censor Bitcoin transactions. They also can not make any request to any person or team to seize your Bitcoin if you don't store it in a centralized platform like a centralized exchange or an online platform with custodial wallet.

You can buy bitcoin from non KYC decentralized exchanges and store it in your non custodial wallet. No governments can seize your bitcoin in your wallet.

No-KYC exchange encyclopedia
https://kycnot.me/

If we are careful in every transaction and keep our bitcoin investment private then no government can confiscate our bitcoins. Even if they know we own bitcoins, they can only issue a penalty, they cannot confiscate bitcoins without our consent. But using bitcoin in banned countries is really a big pressure, because keeping it secret is not easy.

But honestly, I don't know of any country that has completely banned bitcoin because as far as I know, many countries no longer ban it. Instead, they have accepted it to a certain extent, banning it completely is very difficult these days.

[darkangel11]

#Mexico - Even though cryptocurrencies are banned, the largest cryptocurrency exchange in the country - Bitsos, has more than 1 million users.

This is wrong. Cryptocurrencies are not banned in Mexico, which is why they allow a bitcoin exchange. According to the law they're not money, so they're treated like tokens or collectibles. You can own and exchange them and even use it as a means of payment.


Let me start by saying that you cannot ban bitcoin. All these countries can do is not allow business to legally register as dealing with bitcoin, and they can stop banks to process transactions to foreign bitcoin businesses. They cannot stop people from using bitcoin, so all of this is futile and rather pathetic as it shows the government is weak and trying to stop freedom, because bitcoin is freedom to be your own bank and to use money that isn't issued by anyone.

Getting caught doing what? Owning bitcoin? Who's going to prove it? Hey man, show me your phone, I want to see if you don't have a bitcoin wallet in there!

Tell me with all honesty guys, would you like to live in these countries? Some of them are politically unstable (Kosovo, Iran), at war (Russia), destroyed by recent war (Iraq), facing hyperinflation (Venezuela, Turkey), or are so poor that people literally earn a few dollars per day (Nepal, Bangladesh).

[Obari]

Well I didn't say the country has a ban on cryptocurrency or bitcoin but what I said was that the country makes it seems owning bitcoin  is a crime

So far, with my limited experience, I have never known any nation in which owning bitcoin is consider as a criminal.

Buying and selling, using it as a payment method, using it as a currency is prohibited are some ban types I know. You are free to own bitcoin IF you don't use any cash or whatever you got from your criminal activities to buy bitcoin or exchange it to get bitcoin.

If you owning bitcoin by clean money or whatever mean is not related to criminal activities, money laundering, you won't have problems with bitcoin you store at home.

Exactly
But in my country, the government made it clear that the local banks shouldn't get involved with any transactions related to bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general and as such, if a bank transaction you're processing has any bitcoin or cryptocurrency writings on it, then there are possibilities of the transaction been block.

In my country,  the moment you mention bitcoin to the average person, the first impression  they get is that you're a scammer and thisnis because, these scammers mostly received their criminal money through bitcoin and as such people don't really think nice of bitcoin  in my country except for the few who are already embracing it.

[tbct_mt2]

But in my country, the government made it clear that the local banks shouldn't get involved with any transactions related to bitcoin and cryptocurrencies in general and as such, if a bank transaction you're processing has any bitcoin or cryptocurrency writings on it, then there are possibilities of the transaction been block.

You don't have to write reason, purpose of your bank transfer is to buy bitcoin, buy goods or whatever if in your nation, banks work like other nations. If you use Remitano, they will give you a random code that is used for your bank transfer. With this, how banks in your nation knows you are buying bitcoin.

I believe you can trade your fiat to bitcoin, without problems that only come if you write in your bank transfer as "I am making this bank transfer to buy bitcoin from my trade partner".

In my country,  the moment you mention bitcoin to the average person, the first impression  they get is that you're a scammer and thisnis because, these scammers mostly received their criminal money through bitcoin and as such people don't really think nice of bitcoin  in my country except for the few who are already embracing it.

I think if you feel so, don't mention it. You don't need to make your face worse if those people don't need your advice. If they need, you can share what you know with them but I don't go first and face with risk to be called as a scammer. Give them free lecture, free lunch and they call me a scammer, no.

[Aikidoka]

How do you think bitcoin users deal with these situations?

I believe that many people from those countries are using Bitcoin secretly to evade government regulations. Even if Bitcoin is banned I don't think that would block them from the use of Bitcoin through alternative means. It's unfortunate for the Bitcoin community when some countries choose to ban it, but such bans won't deter those who are genuinely interested in investing in Bitcoin.

How do they manage to get around these restrictions without getting caught?

It's really hard to track someone who uses Bitcoin if they know precisely how to remain hidden from the government. However, it's a risky way as if that person gets caught, they might end up losing all their savings in Bitcoin.

Do you think, what more countries can join this list?

I believe that there should be more countries added to this list, or at least some countries where Bitcoin isn't officially banned but still lacks clear regulations. For example, Tunisia has no specific regulations regarding crypto, yet I've heard that if the government discovers someone mining or holding Bitcoin, they may face significant troubles and in some cases even the risk to go to the prison.

[marlo1001]

Sooner or later all countries will understand that it's impossible to ban bitcoin and crypto in general. One day it will happen

[n0ne]

Sooner or later all countries will understand that it's impossible to ban bitcoin and crypto in general. One day it will happen

Already many countries that have banned bitcoin usage in the past have legalised as well as regulated the usage of bitcoin. This is a positive move and this is happening as a result of and more number people's participation into bitcoin. Even from the banned countries people continue to use it.

One of the country that had made strict ban on cryptocurrency is Bangladesh. Once came through a news in which two persons dealing with cryptocurrency were arrested by the police. Now people using cryptocurrency from those countries were using the neighbouring countries for cryptocurrency related activities. Ban is temporary, because when people are in need for it governments can't do anything against the people's need/wish.

[bayu7adi]

#Indonesia - The use of cryptocurrencies as a form of payment has been banned since 2018.

How do you think bitcoin users deal with these situations?
How do they manage to get around these restrictions without getting caught?
Do you think, what more countries can join this list?

I reside in Indonesia, and this news is indeed true. We, the people of Indonesia, are not allowed to use Bitcoin as a means of payment to replace our official national currency, which is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). However, surprisingly, it is a peer-to-peer currency, and there are certainly some individuals who use it for transactions.

As long as the government does not detect these transactions, it should remain secure. Take, for instance, Bali, Indonesia, where a few years ago, Bali utilized Bitcoin as a payment method for a few months. However, eventually, the government began to take action and issued a ban related to Bitcoin.

Up to this point, the crypto community in Indonesia can only buy and sell Bitcoin on government-monitored official exchanges. Here, a rather tedious tax system is also in place.

[Hamza2424]

It is good to see any countries are at least sure with their policies for crypto, but what I found most shocking one the time of BAN was India as India was doing somehow good with their Crypto policies At least they were sure but their most policies were discouraging the Investors, as 30% taxation on the profit trades with some restrictions as well. India continuously discouraged the Miners as well. Still, the people used the alternatives to avoid tax P2P trades rather than depending on the local CEX exchanges.

Still, in most countries, policies are not clear which is leading to a more dangerous disaster because any sort of fud completely disturbs the peace in the local market, i.3 in Pakistan the government is still not clear with the market future, is not likely Banned and not even appreciated as the legal tender, a few months back there was media fud, and quite shocking without nay verification the top media outlets manipulated the news and that single news led to a lot of fraudulent activities.

[Asuspawer09]

I mean we can't expect everyone to accept Bitcoin and cryptocurrency for sure there will be some countries that are not going like cryptocurrency and ban it in their country but it wasn't completely banned since probably all of the people around the world could easily access Bitcoin since it's on the internet, or probably they might try to control bitcoin but for sure they can't do it because it just like banning the internet on their country so people can still invest on bitcoin even though it is banned on their country as long as they know what they are doing. But it can probably be tracked since if you going to convert it to cash you are going need to do bank transactions and you probably your gonna need a P2P transaction.

But they might get in trouble so if they are not willing to take the risk it's probably better to not try Bitcoin at all since it's also risky as an investment plus on their government. Compared to the past year Bitcoin has already been adopted in a lot of countries but at the same time a lot of governments didn't allow it as well, which is in my opinion pretty normal thing because cryptocurrency is just a new thing where the government dont want something that they cant circulate or control since it is decentralized.

[milewilda]

Sooner or later all countries will understand that it's impossible to ban bitcoin and crypto in general. One day it will happen

Already many countries that have banned bitcoin usage in the past have legalised as well as regulated the usage of bitcoin. This is a positive move and this is happening as a result of and more number people's participation into bitcoin. Even from the banned countries people continue to use it.

One of the country that had made strict ban on cryptocurrency is Bangladesh. Once came through a news in which two persons dealing with cryptocurrency were arrested by the police. Now people using cryptocurrency from those countries were using the neighbouring countries for cryptocurrency related activities. Ban is temporary, because when people are in need for it governments can't do anything against the people's need/wish.

Whether they would be banning it out or not, it wont really be enough for it to stop Bitcoin adoption or recognition but rather it do really shows that government cant really be able to control or take a good hold of it and thats
why they dont have no choice but to ban it out and making out some alibis that they are really just that protecting their citizens on dealing up with something which cant be regulated but the fact or truth is that they cant really get a good hold of it and cant be traced it out and this is something that government doesnt really like for its citizens on touching up this space because they do know that once they would be able to deal with it then
tax evasion and other possible correlated things and benefits could really happen and that what makes demand and recognition been strengthen more.  Doesnt matter if the number of countries which bans out Bitcoin
increasing because no matter what they do, they cant really stop it completely and thats what makes it on getting the interest and confidence specially into those people whom do support it.
It is really that something that cant be controlled.

[tygeade]

If we are careful in every transaction and keep our bitcoin investment private then no government can confiscate our bitcoins. Even if they know we own bitcoins, they can only issue a penalty, they cannot confiscate bitcoins without our consent. But using bitcoin in banned countries is really a big pressure, because keeping it secret is not easy.

But honestly, I don't know of any country that has completely banned bitcoin because as far as I know, many countries no longer ban it. Instead, they have accepted it to a certain extent, banning it completely is very difficult these days.

That's not like that in my nation. Here we end up giving our KYC which means that we are going to end up with a situation where it will take a while to get that done. This is why we believe that we should be careful about it one way or another and the government is always watching us, or at least we act as if the government is all aware of our situation.

This means that we need to be careful at all times and not really act silly with our money and try to hide something. If we hide it, and they figure it out due to KYC, then eventually they will ask for it and that's going to cause a lot of trouble for us. Not a lot of people would do that, everyone I know acts as if the government knows what we have done and pay their taxes.