Global cryptocurrency exchange Binance has restored access to its platform for users in Ethiopia through state-owned telecom provider Ethio telecom, following what the company described as successful regulatory engagements with local authorities.
The update was communicated directly to users on Tuesday through an official notice, which read: “Hi Binancian, Thank you for your patience and continued support. We’re pleased to let you know that Binance is now accessible again in Ethiopia via Ethiotel after successful regulatory engagements.” While the message confirms that access has been reinstated, neither Binance nor Ethiopian authorities have disclosed the specific details of the discussions that led to the decision or the exact duration of the earlier disruption.
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The restoration comes after several weeks of tension in Ethiopia’s digital asset space, triggered in May 2026 when the National Bank of Ethiopia issued a directive declaring Ethiopian Birr-denominated peer-to-peer cryptocurrency transactions illegal. The central bank’s move was driven by concerns that informal P2P markets were increasingly acting as unofficial price discovery systems for the birr, complicating efforts to manage foreign exchange pressures and monetary stability. At the same time, national security assessments raised concerns about anonymous digital asset flows potentially being linked to illicit trade and capital movement risks.
In response to the directive, major global exchanges including Binance, OKX, and Bitget suspended ETB-linked P2P trading almost immediately, while access to their platforms was also restricted through Ethio telecom network controls. The sudden disruption left thousands of freelancers, tech workers, and retail investors temporarily cut off from one of their main channels for digital asset access and cross-border value transfer.
Although platform access has now been restored, the regulatory position itself remains unchanged. The Ethiopian Birr continues to be the only legal tender recognized within the country, and ETB-denominated peer-to-peer crypto transactions remain prohibited under existing enforcement guidelines. This means that while users may be able to access Binance again, the core restrictions on local fiat-based crypto activity are still in place.
Industry observers interpret the development as a form of technical re-engagement rather than a shift in policy direction. At the same time, Ethiopian financial authorities are reportedly continuing work on a more structured regulatory framework for digital assets, including capacity building around anti-money laundering controls, taxation systems, and virtual asset oversight in collaboration with international partners. However, no formal timeline has been announced for when such a framework might be implemented.
For now, the reopening of access through Ethio telecom offers partial relief for users who rely on global platforms for digital asset management, even as Ethiopia maintains a cautious and tightly controlled stance on cryptocurrency activity.
