Regulatory AlertsMyanmar: crypto & digital assets regulation
BannedMyanmar: Cryptocurrency activities prohibited by CBN Notification 9/2020
- Lead regulator
- Central Bank of Myanmar (CBN)
- Also involved
- Myanmar Police Force (enforcement)
- Core law
- CBN Notification No. 9/2020 on Digital Currency
- Entry capital
- —
- Approval timeline
- —
- Customer assets
- Prohibited
- Data protection
- No specific data protection law identified in source
- Sandbox
- No
The Central Bank of Myanmar (CBN) has explicitly prohibited the use, purchase, sale, and transaction of digital currencies, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. This ban applies to all individuals and entities within the jurisdiction, effectively rendering any crypto-related business activity illegal. There is no licensing framework for crypto exchanges, custody, or issuance.
Which licence do you need?
| Your activity | Requirement | Capital | Timeline | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange / trading platform | Prohibited[1] Trading platforms explicitly banned under Notification 9/2020. | — | — | Central Bank of Myanmar |
| Custody of client assets | Prohibited[1] Custody of digital currencies is part of the prohibited transaction. | — | — | Central Bank of Myanmar |
| Token issuance / public offering | Prohibited[1] Issuance and sale of digital currencies are unauthorized. | — | — | Central Bank of Myanmar |
| Broker-dealer / OTC desk | Prohibited[1] Brokerage and OTC services involve prohibited transactions. | — | — | Central Bank of Myanmar |
| Stablecoin issuance | Prohibited[1] Stablecoins are digital currencies and thus banned. | — | — | Central Bank of Myanmar |
| Crypto payments acceptance | Prohibited[1] Using digital currency for payment is explicitly prohibited. | — | — | Central Bank of Myanmar |
| Mining / staking services | Prohibited[1] Mining facilitates prohibited transactions; generally banned. | — | — | Central Bank of Myanmar |
| Advisory / portfolio management | Prohibited[1] Advisory on prohibited assets is likely restricted. | — | — | Central Bank of Myanmar |
New — what changed recently
- 2020-05-15CBN Notification No. 9/2020 — Explicitly prohibited the use, purchase, sale, and transaction of digital currencies.[1]
Market-entry checklist
- 1Do not operate crypto servicesAll crypto activities are prohibited; no license exists.
- 2Avoid digital currency transactionsUsing crypto for payments or trading is illegal.
- 3Consult legal counselVerify if any exemptions exist for specific entities.
- 4Monitor regulatory updatesCheck for any new CBN notifications or laws.